COLLINSVILLE, IL- Clara Maxine (Leonard) Stephens, 80, of Collinsville, IL, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

Maxine was born June 22, 1938 in East St. Louis, IL to Frazier and Marie (Williams) Leonard. They preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her in-laws, Raymond E. and Genevieve (Delatine) Stephens and brother-in-law, Raymond Stephens.

Maxine married Robert "Bob" Stephens on November 22, 1961 at Holy Angels Church in East St. Louis, IL. They originally lived in Caseyville for many years. He survives and currently resides in Collinsville, IL.

Also surviving are their children, Michael Stephens (fiancé, Lisa Stein), Lisa Wentzel (husband, David) and Mark Stephens (wife, Katherine); grandchildren, Cody Stephens (wife, Kristen), Jacob and Allison Stephens, Andrew and Matthew Wentzel; great-granddaughter, Virginia Rae Stephens; sister, Marlene (Leonard) Campbell (husband, Robert); sister-in-law, Mary Stephens; nephews, Jeff Campbell and Ronald Stephens; niece, Susan Campbell Whiting; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and step-grandchildren.

Maxine attended Longfellow Grade School, Rock Jr. High School, East St. Louis High School- June Class of 1956. She was a member of the "Lunch Bunch" of the Class of 1956. Maxine was a former member of the First Methodist Church, East St. Louis and Job's Daughters. She was a current member of the Caseyville United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Laurel Circle and Bear Makers.

She worked for New York Life Insurance Company and Carl Electric Co., and then became a homemaker, devoted to her family.

She was a member of Cahokia Mounds Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Caseyville Junior Women's Club, Caseyville Red Hats, Griswold Family Association, Friends of the Collinsville Historical Museum and the Maryville, YMCA.

Maxine and Bob enjoyed camping and traveling to 49 states, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Central America and especially enjoyed many cruises and the yearly winter trips to Florida. Maxine also traveled to Cuba on a church trip. She always attended and enjoyed the sports and musical activities of her grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Caseyville United Methodist Church or to the Collinsville Historical Museum. Condolences and remembrances may be shared with the family through this online guestbook.