Obituary of L. Maxine DeGroft

L. Maxine DeGroft, 90, of Calvary Homes in Lancaster, formerly of Elizabethtown, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday evening, January 24, 2024, at Lancaster General Hospital.   She was the wife of the late Lester Robert DeGroft who went to be with the Lord in 2010.  She was the daughter of the late Elwood N. and Addie Lane Hite Shank.

Maxine was a 1951 graduate of Elizabethtown High School.  She was a member of Mount Calvary Church, Elizabethtown, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and with her husband, was a Jr. High Youth leader for 10 years. They loved watching the teens make life-changing decisions as they matured in the study of God’s Word.

Maxine was employed as receptionist or secretary by the former Bell Telephone Co. in Harrisburg, the former Crippled Children's Hospital, and the former Continental Press (now ITP), both in Elizabethtown.  She then became the Administrative Assistant at Mount Calvary Church for 22 years. She loved serving the pastors and congregation.

Maxine lived a wonderful life filled with family and friends. She delighted in simple pleasures such as family gatherings and holiday celebrations. Among her favorites were camping, taking long drives in Amish country where she would stop at stands and shops checking out Amish-made crafts. However, her best times were spent at Myrtle Beach, SC.

Surviving are three sons, Pastor Steven C., husband of Linda Smith DeGroft, of Sebring, FL, Bradley E., husband of Deborah Snyder DeGroft, of Elizabethtown, and Scott R., husband of Deborah Cornelius DeGroft, of Middletown, OH; six grandchildren, Shawn, Michael, Jennifer, Brian, Kevin, and Matthew; ten great grandchildren, Jordan, Kyle, Anabelle, Cameron, Grant, Jane, Reid, Rebecca Annalise, Adaline, and Ezra; and a sister, Phyllis, wife of Conrad Faust, of Chesapeake, VA.  She was also preceded in death by a sister, Jean Fuller.

The family extends their sincere thanks and appreciation to all the devoted and loving caregivers at Calvary Homes Retirement Center. 

A memorial service will be at The Crichton Memorial Chapel, Calvary Homes, 502 Elizabeth Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601 on Friday morning, February 16th, 2024, at 11:00 AM with Pastor Steven DeGroft and Paster Dan Gilbert officiating. There will be no public viewing. The family will receive guests at the chapel on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Interment will be private at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Maxine’s memory to the Benevolent Care Fund at Calvary Homes. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.