John A. Maxwell, Sr.

John A. Maxwell, Sr., 83, passed away 10:00 a.m., August 15, 2018, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

A celebration of life will be held at the C.H. Moore Homestead DeWitt County Museum, in the barn, August 25, 2018, from 2-4 p.m.  Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home and Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements.

John was born February 25, 1935, in Clinton, IL, the son of Carl and Nellie (Stone) Maxwell.  He married Iris A. Isaac on October 2, 1954, in Clinton, IL. She survives in Clinton.  Also surviving are his children, John A. "Pete" (Debbie) Maxwell, Jr., Normal, IL, Lee Ann (Steve) Perring, Weldon, IL; Grandchildren, Jennifer (Ron) Shaw, Beth Maxwell, Merry (Dustin) Blankenship and Kyle (Lauren) Marcum, eight great-grandchildren: Sisters, Margaret Burger and Louise (Cletus) Nichols, both of Clinton, brother Joseph R. (Betty) Maxwell of Vilonia, AR, and many nieces, nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, infant twin sons, and four brothers, Lloyd, Lester, Roger and Robert.

John was a supervisor at Caterpillar in Decatur, IL, retiring in March, 1991.  He returned to Caterpillar, traveling to many different countries and states as a Product Support Engineer, retiring again in 2007.  He was a past member of Bloomington Elks Lodge 281, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Bloomington Moose Lodge, Land of Lincoln Antique Tractor & Engine Club, Caterpillar Retiree Club and past director of the DeWitt County Museum.  His hobbies included collecting toy tractors and collecting and refurbishing antique farm tractors and plows. He enjoyed plow days and tractor drives. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother who will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the DeWitt County Museum or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.