Phillip Lee Roy Maxwell

Springfield - There are few men of real courage, Phil Maxwell proved himself one. His six-year courageous battle of cancer came to an end Friday, April 29, 2011, when he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at Memorial Medical Center.

Phil was born Saturday, April 10, 1948 in Rushville, IL the son of Phillip Lacy and Betty June (Kinkead) Maxwell. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jennifer Maxwell in 1976 and his father in 1999.

He married Cindy Livingston on August 22, 1969. Together they have a daughter, Ashleigh Elizabeth Maxwell Watson (husband, Jeffrey) of Williamsville and six grandchildren, Jonathan, Adam, Matthew, Katie, Ellie Blaine, and Izabella. On March 26, 2008 he married Donna Curry Miller. She has three daughters Stacy McClanhan (husband, Carl), Jaime Houle (husband, Ryan), and Terri Miller (fiancé, Nick Motley); and five grandchildren, Ashleigh, Matthew, Ryleigh, Gabrielle, and Caden.

He is also survived by his mother; six siblings, Bob (late wife, Jan) Maxwell, Sharon (husband, Jim) Stickel, Marilyn Kuykendall, Mick Maxwell (companion, Mary Kay Lentz), Tom (wife, Jannie) Maxwell, and Jimmy Maxwell; and several nieces and nephews.

Phil graduated from Springfield High School in 1967 where he was guard on their 1967 3rd Place State Champion basketball team, he also played baseball and football.

After high school he went on to attend Springfield College where he earned his Associates of Arts on June 1, 1969. He was a point guard for their basketball team as well.

He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education from Illinois State University on June 10, 1972.

Phil was a Special Education teacher, he worked at McFarland, Staley School, Jefferson but he spent the majority of his 30 plus years career at Springfield High School. He was an assistant football coach, started the girls softball program, and even during his battle with his cancer this year, worked some of the boys football and basketball games. He retired from Springfield Public Schools, District 186 in April 2005.

He was member of the Anchor Boat Club since 1986, and became an honorary member this year. He played on their softball team since his joining and remained an active part of the team, coaching and offering his sometimes unsolicted advise. He also played softball at Four Seasons on the Underfanger Moving & Storage and Springfield Tavern teams.

He was an avid sports fan, Cubs fan, enjoyed playing golf and fantasy football. Phil loved vacationing in Florida on the beach and walking in Washington Park. But most of all he loved spending time with his family, friends and his one eyed cat "Stinky the Kitty".

Cremation Rites have been accorded. A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from 4 to 7 PM at Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel. A celebration of his life will be held 3 PM Thursday, May 5th at the funeral chapel. Interment will follow at Joseph Brunk Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Home Services Hospice, 720 N. Bond St, Springfield, IL 62702.