FARMINGTON – George W. Maxham Sr., 86, of Farmington and formerly of East Dixfield, died Wednesday evening, June 2, at the Franklin Memorial Hospital after several years of failing health. He had been a resident of Orchard Park Rehab and Living Center since February, 2003.

He was born April 27, 1918 in Newport, N.H., son of the late Charles Danforth and Eula Rose Dodge Maxham. He married D. Angela LeBrun in Lebanon, N.H. on April 6, 1942.

A 1937 graduate of Towle High School in Newport, N.H., he began a 20-year career with the Western Union Company.

He was a United States Army World War II veteran, having served from April 24, 1942 until August 10, 1945 in the European Theater with the 57th Signal Battalion.

In 1949, he moved with his family from Claremont, N.H. to Farmington to manage the Western Union office. In 1957, he began a 21-year career with the United States Postal Service and retired in 1978.

For 30 years he made his home on the Holley Road in Farmington on a family farm and raised seven children and numerous farm animals.

In 1979, George and his wife, Angela, began spending winter months in Florida – Brooksville for six years, and then Floral City. In 1991, George and Angela began spending their summers in Greensboro, N.C. In 2001, failing health forced their return to Maine to be nearer family.

He held a lifetime membership in the Arnold Trail Veterans of Foreign War Post 8934 of Embden. He was a member of the Maine Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and was also a member of the Withlacoochee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in Iverness, Florida. He is a past member of the American Legion Post 77 of Iverness, Fla.

A member of the National Association of Letter Carriers. A Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Piedmont Council #939 in Greensboro, N.C., and a former member of the Knights of Columbus Council in Farmington.

George was very active in the 4-H organization with his children in Farmington and was involved in the Baby Beef Club, the Sheep Club, and as the Dairy Club Leader. He was active in the Fryburg Fair Association Baby Beef Department and responsible for the youth housing for many years until 1991.

He was a member of Farmington Grange #12 for 50 years, Excelsior Pomona #6, Maine State, and National Grange. He held many offices in Subordinate, Pomona, and State of Maine Granges. While living in Florida, he was an affiliate member of Osceola Grange #208 in Iverness; Orange Blossom Pomona #6, and the Florida State Grange where he held various offices until returning to Maine.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by four daughters, Mary E. Haley of Farmington, Kathleen N. Cochran of Chesterville, Brenda C. LeBlanc and her husband Donald of Temple, and Melinda L. Lane and her husband Ernest of New Vineyard; three sons, Daniel C. Maxham and his wife Janice of Industry, George W. Maxham Jr. and his wife Sheila of West Farmington, and Brian R. Maxham and his wife Michelle of East Dixfield; 25 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a brother-in-law, John Chartier of Newport, N.H.

He was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Dorothy Chartier of Newport, N.H.; a granddaughter, Morgan Haley of Chesterville; and son-in-law Paul E. Haley Sr. of Farmington.

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