M. Maxine Culbertson, 89, Columbia City, passed away at 6:02 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, at Peabody Retirement Center, North Manchester.

The Roaring Twenties were vibrant with industrial innovation, with the first regular schedule of television programming coming to life, the first machine-sliced and machine-wrapped loaf of bread being sold, much of the country still talking about the First Trans-Atlantic Flight and aviator Amelia Earhart starting her attempt to become the first woman to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean.

1928 held more exciting news for Thomas A. Dunn and M. Ruth (Pritchard) Dunn as they announced the news of welcoming another child into their family. On Dec. 8, 1928, Mary Maxine Dunn was born in Whitley County.

She was a lifetime resident of Whitley County before moving to Peabody in 2015. She graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1946 and attended two years at IPFW, where she received her Preschool Teaching Certificate.
While attending First Church of God, she met Don Culbertson, and the two began dating after Don graduated from high school.

She had watched Don for some time while she worked in the onion fields and thought he had the most beautiful eyes!
Upon returning home from the service, Don married her on Dec. 14, 1946, at First Church of God in Columbia City and the happy couple soon welcomed four beautiful children into their family.

She worked as a teacher at First Church of God Nursery School for 18 years and 15 years as a Director. She was a Union Twp. Clerk for 8 years while her husband served as Trustee. She had been a member of First Church of God in Columbia City since 1943 and was an associate member of Everglades Community Church in Everglade City, Fla., for 25 years.

She also was a charter member of the Union Busy Bells and President of the Whitley County Extension Homemakers in 1964 and 1965. She was a “city” gal who successfully jumped into farm life. In 1953, they purchased the family farm on Old Trail Road, where their children learned the responsibilities and value of hard work of farm life. She was involved in NEO home demonstrations and 4-H.

Mrs. Culbertson also volunteered endlessly for church activities, such as CGYA, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School teacher, helping at Bear Lake Camp, and singing in the choir. The couple even led a youth group and an adult group to Haiti. While there, she taught many Haitian women how to sew on sewing machines First Church had previously sent them.

With having dairy cattle, it was difficult for the family to get away. However, they did manage to spend a week at Goose and Snow Lakes, with family and the Auers, in the summers. Family gatherings during the holidays were always important to Mrs. Culbertson, especially during the fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

In 1978, they sold the farm and moved into Columbia City, and Mr. and Mrs. Culbertson started to travel more. They made many memorable trips together to all fifty states, several cruises, and several provinces in Canada. In their retirement years, they wintered in Everglade City, Fla., for over 25 years and while there, they attended Everglades Community Church.

She thoroughly enjoyed oil painting, reading books, fishing, playing cards with her kids and grandkids, lots of baking, and cheering her favorite high school and college basketball teams. Her favorite teams in order were the Fort Wayne Komets, the Indiana Hoosiers, and the Purdue Boilermakers.

Mrs. Culbertson had a brilliant zest for life and always hit the ground running to do all she could do for her community, her church, her family, and for God. She will not be forgotten, but held close in the hearts of those who loved and knew her well!

Survivors include her daughter, Brenda Taylor, Camano Island, Wash.; sons: Dennis (Cindy) Culbertson, Marion, IA., and Randy Culbertson, Columbia City; seven grandchildren: Gretchen (Ballard) Wood, Tammy (Colby) Burke, Charin (Mike) Hanlon, Noel (Teresa) Culbertson, Nathan (Jessica) Douglas, Rhett Culbertson and Ella Culbertson; nine great-grandchildren: two great-great-grandsons; and brother, Gail Dunn, Harrisburg, Pa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Culbertson; brothers: Jack and Robert Dunn; daughter, Sharon Douglas; sisters: Elaine Anderson, Lois Dunn and Arlis Gamble, and son-in-law Robert Taylor.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Eel River Cemetery.

Memorial donations in memory of Mrs. Culbertson may be made to Bear Lake Camp.