Maxine Mae Simpson, 81, devoted Mother, Wife, Grandmother and Aunt, peacefully passed on to her Heavenly Father November 18, 2014 surrounded by family and friends.
Maxine was born December 25, 1932 to Robert E. and Nellie W. (Ridenour) Smith in Victoria, Illinois, and was the last surviving sister from a family of 13.
She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1951. She worked several jobs in the Galesburg area prior to committing over 30 years at the Maytag Refrigeration Plant as a solid IAM member prior to her retirement. She married Frank Simpson on April 29, 1967, her husband of 47 years, and they reside in Bushnell, Illinois amongst their endeared family and friends.
She is survived by her children and their families, Don and Barb Kennett of Fisherville, Kentucky, Dan and Judy Kennett of Pisgah, Alabama; along with four step-children, Frank and Judy Simpson of Conrath, Wisconsin, Larry and Lanette Simpson of Tampa, Florida, Kathy and Gary Karr of Savage, Minnesota, and Kelly Simpson of Bushnell; brothers-in-law, Albert Simpson of Galesburg and Earl Simpson of Bruce, Wisconsin; and a sister-in-law, Rose Valley from Missouri. Her brothers and sisters left their legacy of their unconditional love with multiple levels of nieces and nephews. Maxine also has 16 grandchildren and several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren that brought her care and comfort through her most recent challenging moments with the loss of her sister, her recent massive stroke, and her disabling advanced Parkinson’s Disease, that all affected her life.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, November 21, 2014 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Beacon of Hope Hospice Reverend Vince Marolla, who assisted her and our family with her spiritual assent to God, will officiate. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Her final resting place will be at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. (NPF) to assist others with this crippling disease, or the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Association. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
