Virginia "Maxine" Whitehead

Pittsburg- Virginia “Maxine” Whitehead, age 84, of Pittsburg, passed away 3:30pm on Friday, August 14, 2015, with her family by her side, at the home of her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Janelle and Rick Baltzell of Pittsburg. Maxine was born May 11, 1931 to William T. and Lillie (Franklin) Elliott. She was raised in the Creal Springs area, attended the Birdwell Grade School, Crab Orchard Grade School, and Vienna High School. She married Robert E. Whitehead of Spillertown on May 8, 1952. Maxine and Bob settled in the Birdwell Community, east of New Burnside, where they raised their four children, Bill, Steve, Anita, and Kris. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage before his passing in January of 2010. Maxine attended the Birdwell Church where, throughout the years, she held numerous positions, ranging from secretary/treasurer to song leader. She, along with her sisters, Corinne Wilkins, and Elaine Elliott, formed a trio and traveled to various local churches to sing, while being accompanied on the piano by Corinne. After Bob’s passing, Maxine moved to Pittsburg and began attending Arnold View Church. Maxine and Bob volunteered for 19 years for Williamson County Programs on Aging. They delivered meals to the homebound and also helped at the Pittsburg congregate site. Maxine and Bob enjoyed traveling with their children for pleasure as well as for visiting distant friends and family. They traveled west to enjoy the Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Old Faithful, Painted Desert, Mesa Verde, and also to the Smoky Mountains and numerous places in between. They even made it to Montgomery, Alabama to visit Hank Williams Sr.’s gravesite. After moving to Pittsburg, Maxine continued to host her family’s traditional Sunday dinners. She enjoyed crafting, crocheting, and working with her flowers. She was an avid reader and enjoyed being read to when she became unable to do so herself. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Gail Whitehead of New Burnside, Steve and Cheryl Whitehead of Creal Springs.  Her daughters and sons-in-law, Anita and John Biver of Pittsburg, and Kristin and Randy Romines of Simpson.  Grandchildren, Jenny (Anthony) Volkert of New Burnside, Janelle (Rick) Baltzell of Pittsburg, Danny Whitehead of Goreville, Robin (Jimmy) Lenon of Creal Springs, Kim (David) Harris of Pittsburg, Becky (Josh) Orrill of Pittsburg, Toni Whitehead of Creal Springs, Bobby (Whitney) Whitehead of Vienna, Addie Trovillion of Creal Springs, Tera Romines of Herrin, and Randall (Christina) Romines of Herrin.  Great grandchildren Haley and Shelly Volkert, Katie and Kellie Baltzell, Hallie Newcomb, Danika, Andrew, and Graysynn Whitehead, McKenzie and Bryer Lenon, Bo, Lily, Ethan and Cooper Harris, Lana and Mila Orrill, Morgan Poole, Carter and Mason Whitehead, Brennan Reagan, Hannah and Brian Romines. Also surviving are her sister Corinne Wilkins of Vienna and cousin Mary Ann Cederburg of New Mexico, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Jeanette and Charlie Newell, Jim Whitehead, Lucille Whitehead, and Shirley Whitehead, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents- Lillie and Will Elliott, husband- Bob, sister- Elaine Elliott, infant brother- William E. Elliott, great grandson- Will Harris, grandson- Sgt. Brian Romines, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law- Johnnie Wilkins, Bill Whitehead, Ruby Whitehead, Hob and Lenora Tanner, John “Puck” Whitehead, Dean and Floyd McGuire, Virginia Whitehead, as well as several nieces and nephews. Maxine was very loved and will be very missed. Memorial services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Ivan Ryan officiating. Inurnment will follow at New Burnside Cemetery.  A time of visitation will be held from 5-8pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or the American Cancer Society.  Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home; 800 N Market Street; Marion, IL 62959.  For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com