W. Maxine VanCloostere

W. Maxine VanCloostere (nee Alstat), 88 of Murphysboro, Illinois, died peacefully Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Terrace on the Park Nursing Home in Mascoutah, Ill. surrounded by her three daughters. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Murphysboro, and burial at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday until 9:45 a.m. at Pettett Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Andrew Catholic Church or St. Andrew School, Alzheimer's Association, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at http://www.pettettfuneralhome.com. Maxine was born on August 4, 1924, in Jackson County, Illinois, and was the daughter of farmers Bill & Verena Alstat. She married the son of farmers Tony A. and Mary Agnes VanCloostere, Robert E. on September 24, 1946, at St Andrew Catholic Church in Murphysboro. At the time they wed, Maxine was the teacher of all 8 grades in 1 room Simpson schoolhouse in Sato Township. Prior to teaching, Maxine worked in St. Louis and Chicago factories to support the war efforts of the U.S. troops in WW II. Maxine was extremely involved in the family businesses, VanCloostere Farms, R.E.VanCloostere Construction, Inc., VanCloostere Trucking, and Harsy Mine Services, Inc. She served as C.F.O., bookkeeper, General Manager for the 46 years, that they were married. Maxine served as room mother & scout leader for her daughters at St. Andrew Grade School. She was a member of St. Andrew Altar Society, St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary, and Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, in which she volunteered at the KC Hall. Maxine was very civic and community minded, and she was active in the Farm Bureau and Elks Lodge. Maxine was known for her generosity, caring & grace to all people she interacted with. She excelled as a homemaker and a gardener. Hard work was Maxine's "hobby", her passion. As a couple Maxine & Robert liked to travel to sunny locations, particularly with the AGC or in Key Biscayne, Florida, with their family and friends. As a widow, Maxine continued to travel with family & friends. Her most memorable trips were to Alaska with sister-in-law Loretta Schneider, a Russian cruise, and numerous trips to Mexico with family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. VanCloostere, her son in law Harold Harsy, her parents Bill & Verena Alstat, brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Mildred Alstat, brother Delmar Alstat , brother and sister-in-law John and Loretta Schneider, brother-in-law Bill Eisenhauer, brother and sister-in-law Gene and Mary Endres, and nephew Joey Endres. Survivors include her 3 daughters, Lana (Rich) Williams of Millstat, Roberta (John) Sytsma of Murphysboro, Nancy Harsy (Leonard Pullis) of Murphysboro; 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, Tonya Williams of Chicago, Gina Williams (Jake Grieff) of Brooklyn, NY, Aric (Rhonda) Harsy and children Taryn and Logan of Murphysboro, Aaron Harsy (Tonya Alube) of California and son Chase, Adrienne (Nick) Carter and son RE of Fairfield, Ill, and Darren (Heather) Harsy of DuQuoin, son Dawson and daughter Aubree; her brother and sister-in-law Wayne and Barbara Alstat of Vergennes, sister and brother-in-law Carolyn and Dr. Ron Liss of Sussex, NJ; cousins, and many nieces & nephews. A special thanks to all the loving people at Terrace on the Park Nursing Home and Heartland Hospice for treating Maxine with the same care and respect they would extend to their own family members.

W. Maxine VanCloostere

August 4, 1924 - January 19, 2013