Maxine Leezer

Maxine E. Leezer (92) of Canton passed away Monday, June 16th, 2025, in her home. She was born to Arthur and Twila (Ruth) Cox on October 15, 1932, in their rural Vermont home. They preceded her in death along with 3 brothers: Max, Marcus, and Maurice.

She married Lloyd E. Leezer (Sr) on October 28, 1950, in Astoria. He preceded her in death along with their daughter Martha Bergstralh, son Lloyd Eldon Jr.; and sons-in-law, Neil Bergstralh and Bill Hedden.

Surviving is her daughter Marla Jo Hedden, son-in-law Michael Crane, six grandchildren: Doug & (Patty) Bergstralh, Mike and (Sandy) Bergstralh, Jeff and (Heather) Bergstralh, Tom and (Calista) Hedden, Kandi and (Jason) Maggio, Becky and (Darren) Sherwood. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, brother George Cox of Lewistown, sister Cheryl (Gary) Matteson of Vermont, and sisters-in-law, Sandra Howell, Kathy Cox, and Nancy Leezer.

Maxine graduated from V.I.T. High School in 1950. She was a full-time stay-at-home mom but, when times were lean, she began working part-time at Kresge’s, Jupiter, and Kmart. While employed at Kmart, she began working full-time and was able to retire from there in 1997.

Maxine loved her family and never missed a family gathering. She kept in touch with everyone by phone and through mail even keeping a log of names/addresses at the annual Cox reunion. Watching her grandchildren in their various activities kept her busy and held a very special place in her heart.

Maxine enjoyed many things in life with special emphasis on helping others. She volunteered for the American Red Cross; was present for everyone’s surgeries, hospital stays, and recoveries; loved cooking, baking, and sharing recipes; spent thousands of hours putting together, labeling, and sharing her photo albums, reading local newspapers, listening to and participating in the local radio programs on WBYS (now BYS) because she never missed announcing a birthday or anniversary.

Maxine liked listening to country music, watching old westerns, and being dedicated to the Lawrence Welk show - we all knew not to call her on a Saturday night.

A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Steve Mason, will be held on Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, at 10:00 am at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton with a visitation held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Vermont Cemetery in Vermont followed by a luncheon at American Grille in Canton.

Memorials may be made to Illinois Cancer Care Foundation or St. Jude Children’s hospital.

To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com