M. Maxine Simpson, age 91 of Franklin Grove, died November 22, 2019 at Serenity Hospice in Oregon, IL. Maxine was born on December 27, 1927 in Fairfield Illinois, the daughter of James and Novella (Harris) Buchanan. She married Willard D. Simpson on December 22, 1946 in Fairfield IL. She and her husband farmed together for 50 years in Lee County. Maxine was a long-time community volunteer for Franklin Grove Women’s Club, Lee County Home Extension, 4-H Club Leader and 4-H Center Board, and Franklin Grove Church of the Brethren. She was an avid Chicago Bulls fan. She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, crafting, sewing, baking, and the blessing of watching her family grow. Survivors include her husband of 72 years, Willard; son, Darrell (Barbara Law) Simpson of Franklin Grove; daughter, Darla (Peter) Hall of Nashville TN; nine grandchildren, Marty (Kim) Simpson, Angie (Todd) Winchester, Darren Simpson, Dawn (Brian) Cahill, Brett (Jill) Simpson, Drew (Melanie) Simpson, Carly Simpson, Jessica Hall and Adam Hall; eleven great grandchildren and counting; brother, Melvin Buchanan of Geff IL; daughter-in-law, Brenda Dimmig of Dixon; sister-in-law, Velma Bunting of Fairfield IL; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, one sister, and two sons, Dale Simpson and Douglas Simpson. Visitation will be from 2 - 4 pm, Sunday, December 1, 2019 at the Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on Monday, December 2, 2019 at the Franklin Grove Church of the Brethren with Pastor Joan Scheffler officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow at Atlasta Park in Franklin Grove. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon following the gathering at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity or organization in her memory.