Deborah S. (Gobrogge) Maxey

Deborah S. Maxey, 55, of Defiance, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, February 25, 2018. 
 
She was born on April 6, 1962 to Melvin and Helen (Fintel) Gobrogge in Napoleon, Ohio. On July 19, 1991 she married Stephen A. Maxey, who resides in Defiance.
Deb graduated from Otsego High School in 1980 and went on to receive an Associate Degree in Education from Concordia University Ann Arbor, Michigan and a Bachelor of Education Degree from Concordia University Seward, Nebraska. She received her first call to serve God as a Lutheran school teacher at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Arlington, Nebraska where she taught 4th through 6th grades for six years. She then accepted a call to St. John Lutheran Church and School in Defiance, Ohio in 1990.  She taught at St. John Lutheran School for over 24 years and served in the church through many ministries. 
 
Deb’s calling in life was to be a teacher,  and that is what she loved doing.  She had an impact on students through the way she cared deeply for them and challenged them to be the best they could be.  Deb’s other greatest joy in life was being a wife and mom. She met Steve on a blind date soon after moving to Defiance, and they were married a short time later. She loved walking through life with Steve by her side, and they both felt blessed to have each other.  She was very proud of her children and loved watching all of their activities, especially music and sports. One of her favorite things was traveling with her family, especially to the National Parks. Deb loved her whole family and enjoyed every time all of the Gobrogge and Maxey families were together, especially at Christmas.  She cherished her roles as daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and great-aunt. 
 
Deb’s faith was so important to her and she served God in everything she did. She loved worshipping God through music by singing and playing the keyboard, and she always looked forward to leading music at St. John Lutheran with Steve and her worship team.  She had a passion for serving others and she was a light of Christ’s love to everyone around her.  She is now in Heaven worshipping God for eternity.   
Deb is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Steve Maxey of Defiance, OH, daughter, Natalie Maxey of Hilliard, OH, son, Kyle Maxey of Cincinnati, OH, her mother, Helen Gobrogge of Weston, OH, sisters, Laurie (Rob) Fouts of Weston, Karen (Jerry) Stratton of Alpine, CA, and Diana (Dale) Bormann of Milwaukee, WI, brothers, Tim (Cindy) Gobrogge of Cypress, TX, and John (Kelly) Gobrogge of Pully, Switzerland,  fifteen nieces and nephews, one great-niece, and two great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Gobrogge.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, and for one hour prior to services on Friday at the church. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 2, 2018 at St. John Lutheran Church, with Rev. Donald L. Luhring and Rev. Matthew Schiemann officiating, and friend of the family Rev. Matthew McGue participating.  Christian burial will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery.

A memorial scholarship fund is being created in Deb’s honor at St. John Lutheran Church and School to help fund tuition for students at the school and college scholarships. Contribution checks can be written to “St. John Lutheran Endowment Fund c/o Deb Maxey.” Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.

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