Josephine Maxwell

Josephine Louise (Hardy) Maxwell, 86 of Westville, Illinois, passed away at 1:36 pm Saturday January 25, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois. Josephine was born on May 18, 1938, in Saginaw, Michigan, the daughter of Mary (Fulara) Hardy and Virgil Hardy. Josephine and her family lived at Saint Charles, Michigan, until they moved to Danville, Illinois, in 1945. She attended Saint Patrick’s Catholic Grade School, Franklin Grade School for eighth grade and she graduated from Danville High School in 1956. In her youth she worked at the Fischer Theatre Concessions counter, at Steak and Shake at Gilbert and Main as a curb hop, and at General Electric.

Josephine married Walter L. Maxwell on November 2, 1963, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Danville, Illinois. They raised their family in Westville, Illinois. Josephine was a stay-at-home mother and home maker until 1980 when she began working as a bank teller at First National Bank of Westville. In 1991 she left the bank to begin her career in the medical records department at Provena (Now OSF) Hospital in Danville. She retired from the hospital after 23 years of service at the age of 75. Josephine was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Westville, Illinois. 

 Josephine is survived by her three children; Michelle (Keith) Hartman, Michael (Denise) Maxwell and Todd Maxwell all of Westville, Illinois, her grandchildren; Marlee (John) Hughes, Kaylee (Luke) Odle, Travis (Genesis Pelszynski) Maxwell, Trent Maxwell, and Cole Maxwell, a great grandson Atlas Maxwell, her brother Jack (Sue) Hardy of Lafayette, Indiana, and her sister Sheri McMasters of Westville, Illinois, and her Aunt Julia Fulara of Saginaw, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters; Delores (Barney) Vilk, Kathleen Bunting, Martha (Allen) Stewart, Brother James V. Hardy, and a infant sister Mary Jean Hardy, brother in law Jerry Mc Masters, Nieces; Cindy (Stewart) Fox and Mary (Bunting) Nagrodski, Nephew; Jeffrey Bunting, her niece Delores husband Eric Holycross, and her good friend Susan Christenson.

Family was so important to Josephine, she started and organized every year the annual family reunion at Forrest Glen Preserve for over thirty years. If she didn’t see you in person she would show her love, with a caring phone call, card or letter. 

Josephine will be greatly missed! Her gentle, unconditional love will forever be with her family and loved ones. Until we meet again in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

A Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 on Monday February 3, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Westville, Illinois, 414 South State Street. Visitation will be from 4-7 at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will take place at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church 231 North State Street Westville, Illinois, on Tuesday February 4, 2025, at 10 am, with Father Timothy Sauppe officiating. Burial will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery. Please join Josephin’s family in sharing memories, pictures, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com