Maxine Hood

Maxine Fay Schroedel Hood age 92 a resident of Belleville, Illinois passed away on January 17, 2025. Maxine was born in Rockford, Illinois on May 24, 1932. She was the daughter of Rev. Martin Paul Schroedel and Irene Fay (McDaniel) Schroedel. 

Maxine was united in marriage to Donald Elbert Hood on March 12, 1954. Maxine is survived by her children: Sheri (Ed) Luecking, Michael (Laura) Hood, grandchildren: Jennifer (Derek) Albracht, Josh (Courtney) Luecking, Jamie Wells (Carles Antonell), Amanda (Kyle) Holm, Justin (Skylynn Stevens) Hood, Brittany (John) Runge, her great grandchildren: Cole and Maxine Albracht, Sophia and Ava Luecking, Blai Antonell Wells, Jason, Evan, and Keegan Holm, Peyton Hood, Aliyah Brown, Maddux, and Kolter Hood, and Sawyer, Maverick, Reese Runge. She is survived by her sister Helen McClure, and many nieces, nephews and their families who call her Aunt Macky.  

Maxine was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Hood, her sister Annabelle Hurst and her husband James Hurst, her brother Martin Schroedel and his wife Joyce Schroedel, her brother-in-law, David McClure, and her parents Martin and Irene Schroedel. 

Maxine attended Pinckneyville High School. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1954. She was a schoolteacher in many districts from 1954 through retirement in 1987 from Vienna High School. She taught Health and PE but was known for her many years as the drivers’ education teacher in Vienna.  

Maxine treasured her family and created opportunities to be with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren through her life. She loved to cook and prepare a large meal including everyone’s favorite dishes. She and Don also funded many trips for the family to Sandbridge, Branson, Cancun, Jamaica, and even a cruise to Mexico. She loved to sew and made many beautiful items for loved ones throughout her lifetime. She and Don traveled all over the country with a special trip to Europe with their dear friends, the Clausings as well as to Spain for the wedding of her beloved granddaughter, Jamie to Carles. Maxine also loved to garden, watch birds, owls, and squirrels when they lived at the Lake of Egypt. She and Don built 2 homes in the Goreville area, where she did the electrical in one of them. They also loved to be on the water and had many boats including sail, paddle, canoe, and pontoon. Maxine is probably most known for her generosity. She has given away campers, hot tubs, refrigerators, homes, beds, and countless donations to many charities that were close to her heart.  

Maxine is of the Christian faith and was a faithful servant to many churches she participated in. She grew up in the Pickneyville Evangelical and Reformed Church and was active in the Lockport Congregational Church and the Vienna Methodist Church. Don and Maxine’s lives revolved around Goreville Methodist Church where they both served on many committees, were generous with their tithes, and were there whenever there was a need.  

Maxine will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will be joining the love of her life in heaven and her legacy of generosity and faith will live on in her family.  

Arrangements were entrusted to Blue Funeral Home under the direction of Binkley-Ross. Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 9-11 a.m. at Goreville United Methodist Church located at 116 West Adams Street, Goreville, Illinois 62939. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Mike Hood officiating. 

Memorials may be sent to Goreville United Methodist Church. Please visit www.bluefuneralhome.com to leave online condolences.