Maxine Leona Venkler

She was born in Fowler, Colorado, the daughter of the late Joseph and Rosa Catherine Harris Bishop. A resident of Villa Park, Illinois until 1983, Mrs. Venkler was a travel agent and moved to Asheville in 1985 with her husband, Edward. Here in Asheville, she was active with the College for Seniors at UNC-Asheville.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Venkler; her daughter, Faye Yvonne Venkler McNerney, and her husband, Dr. James McNerney, from Troy, Ohio and their children, Katie, Karen and Megan; her son, Kenneth Eddy Venkler, and his wife Norma, of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin and their children, Kristin and Kevin. She is also survived by her best friend for over 60 years, Alice Sokol. She was preceded in death by her three siblings, Ruby Smith, Carl Bishop and Johnny Bishop.

A memorial service will be held at 7 pm Tuesday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road. Mrs. Venkler’s family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.