- Visitation
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
4:00 to 6:00 pm
St. Joseph Catholic Church
901 North Alton Street, Lebanon, IL 62254
- Service
Mass of Christian Burial:
Thursday, October 17, 2024
10:00 am
St. Joseph Catholic Church
901 North Alton Street, Lebanon, IL 62254
- Full Obituary
Hugh C. Maine, USAF Lt. Col. (Retired), age 90, of Ashkum, Illinois, formerly of Belleville, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at home, with his wife and family beside him.
Born February 19, 1934, in Providence, Rhode Island, he was the eldest son of Hubert C. and Bella (MacTurk) Maine. He married Barbara H. Mack on November 7, 1955, at St. Mary Cathedral in Ogdensburg, New York.
Hugh grew up in Connecticut and upstate New York where he graduated high school from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1952 and graduated from St. Lawrence Hospital School of Nursing in 1954.
In May 1956, Hugh was one of the first male nurses to join the Air Force Nurse Corps. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for 25 years. In his travels around the world, he cared for countless sick and wounded with humility and tenderness. In his last four years of active duty, he was Chief Nurse of the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Scott Air Force Base.
He founded Maine Chimney Sweep, Ltd., Belleville, IL in 1979. As a chimney sweep, member and vice president of the National Chimney Sweep Guild, Hugh was dedicated to wood burning safety and fire prevention throughout his 25 years as owner of MCS Ltd. In retirement, he continued to promote fire safety working part-time at Hearthside Fireplace.
In his retirement, he also worked at Clinton Hills Golf Club and Effinger Nursery.
He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L’Erable, Illinois.
Over the years, Hugh had numerous interests, hobbies and collections, but he especially enjoyed photography, birding, gardening and singing. Most of all, Hugh loved his family. He cherished his wife Barbara with whom he shared nearly 69 years of marriage. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, and delighted in their accomplishments and interests, cataloging keepsakes and photographs in countless albums. He considered every family gathering special and was deeply thankful for every moment shared together.
Hugh’s generosity, compassion, good humor and positive outlook were keenly felt by all who knew him. He knew no strangers and he welcomed everyone he met in life.
His family will always remember what a blessing he was.
Hugh was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law, Ed Sienkiewicz and Floyd Mack.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara and five children, Brenda (Jim) Pehle, Brian (Karen) Maine, Barb (Ed) Szymanski, Bruce (Colleen) Maine, and Brant (Stephanie) Maine; 13 grandchildren, Rachel Pehle, Rebecca Pehle, Brian (Jordan) Maine Jr., Callaway Maine, Carrington Maine, Ed (Bunry) Szymanski, Chris (Amanda) Szymanski, Beth (Nathan) Vrab, Andrew (Peyton) Maine, Theresa (Gordon) Bloom, Sarah (Sam) Kamba, Addison Maine, and Harrison Maine; 21 great-grandchildren, Liam, Penny, Eliza, Layla, Reed, Wren, Deacon, Hugh, Carter, Henry, Isla, Noah, Evelyn, Leon, Elora, Gordon Jr., Bruce, Matthew, Patrick, Micah and Gabriel; sister, Kay Sienkiewicz; brother and sister-in-law, Bruce (Beverly Bennett) Maine; sister-in-law, Barbara Mack; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to Uplifted Care Hospice of Kankakee Valley, Food for the Poor, Wounded Warrior Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or PGA Hope Gateway Chapter.
The family would like to express thanks and appreciation to Uplifted Care Hospice of
Kankakee Valley for their care and support and the local EMS for their response and
aid.Visitation: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 901 North Alton Street, Lebanon, IL 62254
Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, October 17, 2024, 10:00 am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 901 North Alton Street, Lebanon, IL 62254
Presider: Rev. Clyde Grogan
Private Interment: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO
Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
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