|
Visitation: From 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
on Saturday, July 18,at Niebur Funeral Home
Service:
Private family services will be held at a later
date.
Funeral home: Niebur Funeral Home, 530 West
Adams, Pittsfield
Obituary
James B. Maxwell, 78, of Pittsfield passed away
peacefully at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis,
MO on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 following complications
of open heart surgery. Jim was born November 11,
1936 in Fullerton, California, the son of Violet
Ellen Weatherwax Maxwell and James Grenon Maxwell.
Jim graduated from Fullerton High School in 1956
where he was a standout athlete and Captain of the
Varsity Football Team his Senior Year. He attended
and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from
Arizona State University in 1960 and was a proud
member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
He married Wilma Faye Silvernail in Phoenix, Arizona
on April 9, 1960. They settled in Riverton,
California and welcomed their precious daughter
Janine Kay on February 13, 1962. A year later, Jim,
Wilma and Janine left California and landed outside
of Manito, Illinois on their farm where Jim began
farming and teaching at Wilson Elementary School in
Pekin. On July 24, 1964 the family was complete as
son Jeffrey Dennis arrived.
Over the course of his life, Jim farmed, drove the
Forman School Bus, taught Social Studies at Forman
Junior High School and was a highly respected and
awarded Country Companies Insurance and Financial
Agent and Manager until his retirement in 1996. He
served the Forest City Community Church as a Member
and Board Director. During his retirement, he and
Wilma enjoyed living in both Illinois and Florida.
He enjoyed dancing, golf, spending time with family
and friends, a good dinner and conversation and
"Jim-Lit" to wash it down. Most of all, he cherished
his children and two grandchildren, Adam and Anna
Grace Maxwell.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and his
loving wife of 47 years, Wilma, who passed away on
January 29, 2008 and a sister, Elizabeth. Survivors
include his daughter; Janine Maxwell of Springfield,
son; Jeffrey and wife Becky Maxwell of Lincoln,
grandson; Adam Maxwell of Lincoln, granddaughter;
Anna Grace Maxwell of Normal, brother-in-laws;
Michael and his wife, Mary Silvernail of Green
Valley, Illinois, Jim and his wife, Betty Stacy of
Lincoln, two nieces; Melissa Johnson of Mason City
and Gladys Farnam of Lincoln, and several great
nieces, nephews and cousins. |
To celebrate Jim's life, a visitation will be held at Niebur
Funeral Home in Pittsfield from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on
Saturday, July 18, 2015. A private family funeral will be
held at a later date and at Jim's request, his ashes will be
spread on his farm in Mason County.
Per family wishes memorials are suggested to be made to the
James B. Maxwell Educational Scholarship Fund c/o of Niebur
Funeral Home, 530 West Adams, Pittsfield, IL 62363.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.nieburfh.com.
The Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield has been entrusted
with the service. |
