Maxine E. Fildes, age 95, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, February 8, 2024, at Flora Rehabilitation & Health Care Center.

     She was born September 26, 1928, in Jefferson County, the daughter of William Dewey and Ella Lee (Baldridge) Shields. 

     Maxine’s heart found its companion twice over; first, when she joined hands in matrimony with Gail Stanford on December 10, 1955.  He passed away July 28, 1977.  She later married Floyd Fildes on June 3, 1990, and he preceded her in passing on February 1, 2002.

     Maxine was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church where she attended faithfully, serving her Lord as song leader for many years.  She taught Sunday school, vacation bible school, and was active in the missionary women.  Maxine tended carefully to her garden and spent many hours canning and freezing food for her family.  She was a dedicated farm wife and helped in any way she could and took care of mowing and tending to the yard.  In her later years she would look forward to dining out and taking trips.

     She is survived by a son: Steve (Glenda) Wiley of Clay City; a daughter: Nancy Pearce of Flora; a son-in-law: Mike Mobley of Salem; a brother: Ivan Shields; grandchildren: Chad Wiley, Kim (Dion) McCraw, Krista (Tony) Reed, Kyle (Shea) Wiley, Kara (Jeremy) Gaddy, Scott Pearce, Greg Pearce, Gale Pearce (Faith); great-grandchildren: Jada Wiley (Louie Strange), Tori McCraw (fiancé Kyle Dasch), Jayci McCraw, Makynna (Drake) Moss, Kaitlyn (Landon) Eade, Trenton Lewis (Taylor Rhodes), Ryleigh Lewis, Taylor Wiley, Kyla Wiley, Karsyn Gaddy, Jailyn Gaddy, Allie (Austin) Landers, Chloe Pearce, Maddy Pearce, Tristen Conner, Trenton (Molly) Pearce, Jarin Pearce, and Andrew Pearce; great-great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Chance, Adaleigh, Landrey, Quinn, and Westin; as well as her extended family of grandchildren including Lucas (Meggie) Mobley, and Andrea (Steve) Baker and their sons, Eli and Ross.  Maxine is also survived by her nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a son: David Wiley; a daughter: Nita Marie Mobley; son-in-law: Gary Pearce; 2 brothers: Edward Glendon Shields and Clyde Shields; and a sister: Katheryn Hicks.

     A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com