WASHINGTON - Franklin Lee Maxheimer, 76, Washington, died at 2:20 a.m. Tuesday (July 28, 2009) at his home, surrounded by his family.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton. Pastor Jeff Anderson will officiate. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington.

In lieu of flowers, Frank's family is requesting donations be made to the Steve Maxheimer Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of Fondulac Banking Center, 2400 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611, Attn: Mark Yemm.

Frank was born May 12, 1933, in Mount Pulaski, the youngest of 10 children born to Walter and Martha Michel Maxheimer. He married Mariann Haas on June 9, 1956, in Washington.

He is survived by his wife and their children all of Washington, Stanley Maxheimer, Susan (Joseph) LaHood, Diana Maxheimer and Beth Maxheimer (Louis Linsley) LaFollett; 12 grandchildren, Mike, Wes, Dave and Stu Maxheimer; Joe, Sam, Mitch, Simon and Annie LaHood; Nikki Maxheimer; Ashlie and Bradley LaFollett; his sisters, Emogene (Patrick) O'Brien, Greenup; Lourine Howe, Mount Pulaski; and Evelyn Stengel, Petersburg; and brother, Earl (Delores) Maxheimer, Mount Pulaski.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Teri Maxheimer; sister, Irene; and brothers, Everett, Ralph, Alfred and Clarence.

Frank served with the 44th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. He was a 1951 graduate of Washington Community High School. He worked for Central Illinois Light Co. for over 40 years, retiring as a general supervisor of the division services section commercial office. He was a member of the American Legion in Metamora and on the board of directors for the Steve Maxheimer Memorial Scholarship Fund.

He and his wife owned Country Corner Antiques and were long-standing exhibitors at the 3rd Sunday Market in Bloomington. Frank and his wife also owned and operated Nelson's Interiors in Washington for more than 23 years. He was an avid Cardinal fan and fisherman.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the entire OSF Hospice team who aided in his care.

Frank was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton.

Frank's memorial Web site is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to the family.