Louis Edgar Maxfield

Louis Edgar Maxfield died on March 17, 2023 in Fort Pierce, Florida. Born to Lesle and Marguerite (Dodge) Maxfield on May 22, 1928 in Tunbridge, Vermont, the second of their seven children, Louis lived his early life on the family farm there.

In 1945, the Maxfield family made the big move to a river bottom-land in North Hartland, Vermont, which they would come to name Lemax Farm.  Louis completed his high school education in nearby White River Junction, graduating with the Class of 1946 of Hartford High School. He returned to the family farm to work, joining forces with his parents to build a herd of registered Holstein cows.

He met the woman who would become his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Mayhew, in 1947.  They married in October 1949 and were joined by sons Lowell and Cecil in 1952 and 1954.  Peggy predeceased Louis in November 2002. After Peggy’s death, Louis would go on to marry Bennie Hendrix of Fort Pierce, Florida, who survives him.

Louis was a farmer, first and foremost.  In a profession which could be viewed as endless drudgery, Louis found contentment and a certain spiritual quality to the husbanding of land and animals.  In addition to his farm work, Louis was a 33^rd degree Mason, Selectman for the town of Hartland, Moderator of the Hartland Town Meeting for some years, President of the Vermont and New England Holstein Associations, and a lay minister with the United Methodist Church.  Louis also enjoyed judging cattle, especially with young members of 4-H, with whom he hoped to pass along his knowledge of good cattle confirmation.

In his late-in-life retirement, Lou enjoyed a good game of billiards or horseshoes, and always looked forward to playing golf with his friends in “The Hills of Vermont” as well as “On the Greens” in sunny Florida.

One of Lou’s favorite quips was, “I am a ‘mild-mannered Clark Kent,’ but I can become Superman when it’s necessary!” And he proved that many times here in our Community United Methodist Church and activities with the 55+ Club.  When he was president, there were a large number of winter visitors from Canada and New England, so he and his fellow officers were instrumental in offering enrichment and entertainment through our monthly covered-dish meetings with keynote speakers from our community, as well as, programs for our preschool children.  We also enjoyed bus tours to entertainment venues like Myrtle Beach, SC or Orlando, FL.

His other favorite opportunities came when he was asked to assist with our early church services on Sunday mornings, or to give the children’s sermon at our second service. Above all else, he enjoyed helping with any preschool or bible school activities with the children.

He was a kind, loving man who offered his time, energy, and a helping hand wherever and whenever it was needed.  He will be greatly missed and forever loved.

Louis was predeceased by his brothers, Dick and Bob, and sister Betty.  He is survived by his sisters, Lorna, Marjorie, and Bunny, as well as his children, Lowell (wife Carol) and Cecil (husband Stephen Lloyd).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Community United Methodist Church, Fort Pierce.