Janice Maxim

Janice Ilene Maxim (née McVay), born March 27, 1939, passed away on July 2nd, 2026, after facing cancer with quiet courage for more than ten years. Through a decade of treatments she never complained, grateful for one more day and fighting for every one of them.

Janice was a lifelong lover of books. From Nancy Drew as a girl to Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen, her passion for reading never faded. She turned that devotion into her life's work, managing a college bookstore in Salem, Ohio for a decade, and later running the "Babies Need Books" program at a hospital in Ionia, Michigan, ensuring every new parent understood the importance of reading to their newborns.

It was in Ionia that she met her devoted husband, James Edward Maxim. In nearly 30 years of marriage they loved to travel, but when cancer ended those trips, Jim devoted himself to caring of her.

Janice was quietly determined and tough in a way she never put on display. While many people make a show of their struggles, she downplayed hers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd McVay (2001) and Esther McVay (2008), and her brother James McVay (2024). She is survived by her husband, James. Her brother Harold McVay and his wife Sandi, and her sister-in-law Linda McVay. From her first marriage, she is survived by her children, Alan Snyder and his wife Cindy, and Kelly Snyder, and her grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Snyder. Through her marriage to James, she is survived by her stepchildren, Cathy Rosche and her husband Bryce, and Daniel Maxim and his wife Sheri.

Janice's legacy lives on in her husband, her children, her family and friends, and the countless readers she encouraged. The lives they lead today would not have been possible without her quiet, steady influence.

A funeral service will be held on July 18th at Koops Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa at 1pm with visitation from 11am until time of service. Janice will be laid to rest at Lakeside Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Janice Ilene Maxim to the Pennock Cancer Center, in Hastings Michigan. A link is below.

https://give.corewellhealth.org/donate/memorials?fid=3702b915-2060-41ed-a7e6-d98cf23220ce