Frank Maxton at 80; Reception Sunday, Oct. 13 at Presbyterian Church

For decades, Frank Maxton embodied the very best of community service in Du Quoin.

Retired director of Maxton Funeral Home. 2007 Du Quoin Citizen of the Year. 45-year volunteer firefighter. Presidents of both the Du Quoin Rotary Club and the Du Quoin Lions Club.

He was born Oct. 14, 1933 to Scotty and Arline Davison Maxton.

This Sunday from 1-4 p.m. the First Presbyterian Church of Du Quoin and family members will hold an 80th birthday reception in his honor.

In his family are daughters Lori and Lisa, grandsons Brandon and Dylan, brother Jerry and sisters Luana and Phyllis.

After retirement he moved to an assisted living center in Herrin called Hurricane Creek, where he is doing well.

Friends who cannot attend the Sunday reception in Du Quoin can send cards and letters of congratulations to:

Mr. Frank Maxton,

400 Lou Ann Drive

Room 129

Herrin, Ill. 62948

Maxton retired in September 2012 from the Du Quoin Fire Department after 45 years of service as a paid-on-call firefighter. His service began in 1967.

Maxton was actually born "Frances" Maxton. He jokes and says, "this could cause problems when I die." Everyone knows him as Frank.

Frank Maxton is honored to share the same birthday as the late 34th U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower. In fact, Maxton had actually exchanged birthday cards with President Eisenhower. He also shook Eisenhower's hand before he became president.

In January 1954 at the age of 20, Maxton was drafted into the Korean War and served as a medic in a tank unit. He received his mortuary science degree and returned to Du Quoin to purchase Weinberg Funeral Home in 1967.

He shared responsibilities between the funeral home, firefighting, his church, the Du Quoin Lions and the Rotary Club.