July 23, 1931 – November 12, 2024
Dora Minnie “Dot” (Maxwell) Isenhower, 93, Lebanon, Ind., passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Witham Memorial Hospital. Dora was born on July 23, 1931, in Montgomery County, Indiana, as the fourth of seven children of Carl Frederick “Fred” Maxwell Sr. and Margaret Viola (Doyle) Maxwell.
She grew up on a farm near Darlington before moving with her family to Clinton County, near Mechanicsburg. Dora attended Buntin #1, a one-room schoolhouse, until sixth grade, then completed her education at Center #5 and graduated from Kirklin High School in 1949.
Dora married Charles Leslie Isenhower on December 30, 1949, in Boone County. They were married for 60 years until Charles’ passing in 2010. Together, they raised five beautiful daughters: Cynthia “Cindy” Sue Hinton, Diana Lynn Kercheval (deceased), Terri Ellen McGee, Sheila Kay Redman, and Linda Lou Jones. They also raised their grandson, David Joel Isenhower, as their own.
While raising her children, Dora attended night school at Ruth Beck’s Approved University of Cosmetology in Indianapolis, becoming a licensed cosmetologist and opening her own salon in Sheridan, which she successfully ran for many years. In retirement, Dora remained active by founding and serving as president of the Boone County Right to Life for many years, alongside her husband Charles. She educated the community and passionately advocated for the rights of unborn children.
Dora was a devoted member of the Household of Love and Faith Church, leading Bible studies, caring for foster children, and ministering to the elderly. Her love for the Bible took her on three trips to Israel and one to Italy. She lived out James 1:27 in her care for others and prayed daily for her family and friends to know, love, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dora is survived by her daughters Cindy, Terri, Sheila, and Linda, as well as her grandson David, who she raised as a son. She is also survived by her siblings Mable Louise Jarrett and Paul Edwin Maxwell. Dora was a loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and many great-great-grandchildren.
Dora was preceded in death by her husband Charles, her daughter Diana, and her siblings Lloyd Gene Maxwell, Floyd Eugene Maxwell, Carl Frederick Maxwell Jr., and Kenneth Dale Maxwell.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon. The funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Ryan Vinson at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at Myers Mortuary, followed by interment at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Boone County Right to Life, P.O. Box 264 Lebanon, IN 46052.
Dora’s love, strength, and faith continue to inspire her family and all who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with her loved ones.
Online condolences: MyersMortuary.com