Mearl F. Maynard

February 9, 1926 - January 14, 2021

Mearl F. Maynard, 94, of Burlington passed away Thursday morning, Jan. 14, 2021, at Fox River Rehab in Elgin. He was born Feb. 9, 1926, in Denison, Iowa the son of William and Mamye (Slagel) Maynard. Mearl moved to the Hampshire area in 1940 and married Margorie A. Hansen at the Trinity Lutheran Church in DeKalb on Dec. 8, 1949. Mearl was a longtime farmer in the Burlington and Hampshire areas. He had been a volunteer firefighter with the Burlington Fire District for 35 years. He had also been a past president of the School Board in District 301 which he served for 12 years and had served as Director of School Grounds for 14 years. Mearl was a founder of the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club, a longtime member of the Zion United Methodist Church, and a loyal Mason. He always had a smile on his face and was always willing to lend a helping hand and loved to laugh. Surviving is his sister, Beverly (the late Charles) Nichols; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and great friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved, Marjorie on Sept. 11, 2020; son, Roger in 1989; daughter, Valerie in 2008; siblings, Barbara Paterson, Harold, Earl, Leonard, & Carl Maynard, Leola Pedersen, Maxine Maynard, and Marie in infancy. The family wishes to thank the staff at Fox River Rehab and Unity Hospice for their exceptional care. Public visitation will be from 9:30 to 12 Noon with a Fire Dept. walkthrough at 10 AM on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Zion United Methodist Church, 157 W. Jefferson Ave., Hampshire. Masks and Social Distancing will be enforced. Private Funeral Services will follow at 12:15 and Burial will be in the Burlington Twp. Union Cemetery. A Celebration of Life for both Mearl and Marjorie will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather. Memorial Contributions in Mearl’s name to the Burlington Fire Department or the Northern Steam Power Club.