Maxine O. Blacka

Maxine O. Blacka, 79, of New Philadelphia died Friday, January 15, 2016 at Union Hospital.

Born September 17, 1936 in New Philadelphia she was a daughter of the late Frederick and Ruby Espenschied Murphy. Maxine was also preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Blacka and brother, Glen Murphy.

She retired from the Dietary Department at Park Village Health Care Center after 27 years of service, and was a member of Jerusalem Church of New Philadelphia. Maxine enjoyed traveling, and was a great fan of the Cleveland Indians, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and of course, any team her grandchildren played on.

A wonderful and loving wife, mother and grandmother, Maxine will be sadly missed by her husband of 61 years, James R. Blacka whom she married on June 4, 1954; daughter, Shelley (Jeff) Troyer of Sugarcreek; son, Mark (Lori) Blacka of Bolivar; grandchildren, Stacie (Brian) Pfeiffer, Zeb (Erica) Troyer, Kellie (Kenny) Yackey, Ryan and Morgan Blacka; great grandchildren, Emily and Matthew Pfeiffer, Keara and Karson Yackey and Kyson Troyer; brother, Kenneth (Carol) Murphy of Dover; half sister, Doris Jarvis of Arizona and sisters in law, Treva Murphy of Pennsylvania, Wanda (Richard) Shaffer of New Philadelphia and Bonnie Blacka of Dover.

Cremation has been entrusted to the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 23 at 11:00 am in the Jerusalem Church with Pastor Matt Baker officiating. Interment of the ashes will be in the Jerusalem Church Cemetery. Following the burial, a luncheon will be held in the church social hall. Friends can call at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Maxine may do so by visiting the on line obituaries and flowers link on the funeral homes website.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice or to Jerusalem Church.