Willa "Maxine" Beadle died 11:24 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City. She was born in Dodge City on February 16, 1920 to Lee Herbert Clothier and Nathalie Evangeline Shanteau (Formerly of Ensign, KS. later of Dodge City). She married Kenneth Bunyan in 1940. They were later divorced. He preceded her in death in 1980. On October 29, 1949, she married William Francis "Frank" Beadle. They were married for nearly 60 years. He preceded her in death on April 24, 2009.

Maxine graduated from Ensign High School in 1938 and enjoyed Drama, Art, and Music classes. During the war, Maxine worked as a riveter in an airplane factory. Later she was a telephone operator at Southwestern Bell and a PBX operator with Montgomery Ward in Dodge City. Maxine enjoyed working as a Front Desk Clerk at the Silver Spur Lodge for 10 years, at Merle Norman Cosmetics, Foxy Lady Dress Shop, as an Avon Lady (Making the President's Club for two years), and selling Watkins products. When Maxine was 80 years old, she opened a small shop, "Maxine's Health & Beauty" and entered the "Art is Ageless" Exhibit at the Carnegie Art Center. During the 1950's she was an active member in the Southwest Art Association, helped to start the Dodge City Dollies (Doll Club); and was active in Community Theatre "The Way Off Broadway Players"; doing "Barefoot in the Park", "Jennie The Mail-Order Bride", and "Ladies in Retirement". Maxine was a member of the Church of Christ in Dodge City.

Maxine played a rousing "Boogie Woogie" style piano, loved music, and enjoyed seeing legendary performer Ray Charles in concert at the Civic Center. She served as the unofficial "Business Manager" and "#1 Encourager" for her musical son Max and "Follow Your Heart.....Music". She enjoyed movie "Thrillers" citing "Cape Fear" with Robert DeNeiro as one of her favorites. She also continued to collect antique porcelain dolls and thimbles from all over the world.

Maxine could light up any room or conversation with her bright, gentle, spirit, winning smile and caring heart. She loved people and was a friend to all, especially staff and residents of the Good Samaritan Society in Dodge City where she resided for the last 5 1/2 years of her life. Maxine was a good listener to both young and old with a lot of wisdom and gentle guidance to share. Maxine was a "Fun" person.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lee Herbert and Nathalie Evangeline Clothier, brothers Gerald and Alvin Clothier, maternal grandparents Charles and Ada Shanteau; paternal grandparents Clarence and Bertha Clothier; and Maxine's daughter Jean Renee Bunyan.

Survivors include her sister Beth Ann Clothier (A resident of Good Samaritan, Dodge City), one son, Max Bunyan and wife Claudia (Dodge City), daughter Georgia "Sue" Bunyan (Larned, KS.) and grandson Jay Barlow (San Diego, CA); grand-daughter Elisabeth Bunyan Bass and husband Matt, great grandsons Cory and Blake Bass (Salem, VA), grandson Joshua Bunyan and wife Tessa, and three month old great grand-daughter Kenah Noelle Bunyan (Baxter Springs, KS.) and grandson Peter Bunyan a May 13, 2012 graduating senior at the University of Kansas in Lawrence with a Degree in Human Biology.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of the Good Samaritan Society at 501 W. Beeson Road in Dodge City With Pastors Carl and Joyce Nance of Victory Life Fellowship officiating. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Inurnment will follow the funeral service in the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Dodge. Memorials are suggested to the Good Samaritan Society of Dodge City in care of Swaim Funeral Home. Personal condolences may be left at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.