December 10, 1962 – May 25, 2026
Victor Makximenko, 63, passed away on May 25, 2026, in Bedford, Indiana.
He was born on December 10, 1962, in Goshen, Indiana, to the late Nicolai and Maria (Honcharenko) Makximenko. On July 8, 1989, in Niagara Falls, New York, he married and is survived by Betsey Spear Makximenko.
Vic devoted 33 years of honorable civilian service to the Navy and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. Vic held many roles within the Munitions Development Branch and held several technical roles supporting classified projects, including the research and development of demolition items, energetic testing, requirements development, and safety assessments. His innovative work also resulted in a U.S. Patent. Some of his greatest successes came through bold demonstrations of novel technologies once considered impossible by experts in the field.
As the Special Warfare and Expeditionary Systems Department (SWESD) Chief Strategist, Vic helped shape the command’s strategy for future Expeditionary Warfare capabilities and established the Rapid Innovation and Prototyping Lab (RIPL). NSWC Crane would not be where it is today without Vic’s dedication, initiative, and keen technical knowledge of Expeditionary Warfare.
In addition to his many accomplishments at Crane, Vic was recently awarded Most Valuable Professional by the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County for his years of outstanding volunteer work. His dedication to the program expanded the space at the club into one of the largest maker-spaces in Indiana.
Vic has been on the Board of Directors for Bedford Federal Savings Bank since 2014, in the role of Treasurer. Vic was a member of the American Legion Gillen Post 33. He was a builder, creator, fixer, remodeler, musician, mentor, and encourager. Vic has had a profound impact on so many in our community – through his children’s relationships, his personal friendships, and community involvement.
Vic was most proud of Alex and Tessa, and always felt they were his biggest accomplishment.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife, Betsey Makximenko; son, Alex Makximenko; daughter, Tessa Makximenko (Cody Schmidt); brothers-in-law, Barry (Pam) Spear and Brett (Martha Peterson) Spear; special nieces, Staci (Kevin) Goss and Michelle (Rodney) Schrock; a sister; and many other close family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicolai and Maria (Honcharenko) Makximenko; his brother, Ivan Makximenko; and his in-laws, Ray and Susanne Spear.
Funeral services for Vic will be held at 1:00 p.m. on June 3, 2026, at Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes, 818 18th Street, Bedford, with Father David Chidzhokie and Deacon James Stickle of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of Goshen and Reverend Timm High of First Presbyterian Church of Bedford officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m., also at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County.
The staff of Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne Family Funeral Homes is honored to have been chosen to care for Victor and his family during this difficult time.
Condolences and memories may be shared and flowers ordered at www.ThorneFunerals.com.
