Viola L. (Sensel) Maxwell

Viola Louise Maxwell, nee Sensel, age 98, of Belleville, IL, born on August 6, 1919, died on March 13, 2018 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Viola was raised on farms in Monroe County with her brothers, Henry and Wilbert and her sisters, Florine and Marie.  She was baptized at St. John's United Church of Christ in Maeystown, IL and she became a life-long member of Immanuel & Christ United Church of Christ.

Viola married Rolla Maxwell on October 12, 1940 and was married for 38 years until Rolla died in 1978.  Along with their three children, they extended their family with more than 50 foster children.  

Our mother set an example with her kindness and generosity, her love for friends and family that extended to great, great nieces and nephews.  She was always eager to entertain them at annual Christmas parties and join them at all of the family celebrations. Viola was especially fond of her TOPS pals and proud of her accomplishments over the 27 years of her membership in the group.

After retiring from Union Bank in East St. Louis, IL, she spent many years volunteering at Nice Twice & Community Kindness resale shops.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Elizabeth, nee Rippelmeyer, Sensel; her brothers, Henry and Wilbert Sensel; her sister, Florine Hestenberg; her sister in law, Viola Sensel; her brothers in law, Harold Miller and Arnold Hestenberg; and her son in law, Alan Bunse.

She is survived by her children; Linda (Roger) Heape of St. Louis, MO, Deborah Bunse of Las Vegas, NV and David (Betti) Maxwell of Belleville, IL; her sister, Marie Miller; her sister in law, Carmelita Sensel; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to all who provided help, friendship and joy to our mother’s life.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd, Fairview Heights, IL. 

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 19, 2018 at Christ United Church of Christ, 26 North 14th Street, Belleville, IL. 

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 19, 2018 at Christ United Church of Christ, 26 North 14th Street, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Jon Tinge officiating.  Interment will be held in Lake View Memorial Gardens of Memory, Fairview Heights, IL.

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