Maude Elizabeth Powers

1926 - 2020

ELMWOOD - Maude Elizabeth Powers, 93, Elmwood, died at 5:58 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family.
She was born Sept. 9, 1926, to John and Maude (Sleeth) Stear in Eden. She married Jerome A. Powers on Dec. 26, 1946, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Elmwood. He preceded her in death on May 14, 1986.
She is survived by seven children, Jerome "Jerry" (Sue) Powers of Yates City, John (Theresa) Powers of Laura, Mike (the late Peg) Powers of Elmwood, Pat (Rick) Varnold of Wataga, James (Cathy) Powers of Peoria Heights, Cindy (Rick) Kunkel of Mt. Sterling and Dan (Crystal) Powers of Peoria; 14 grandchildren, Beth (Jason) Parry, Brett (Lindsay) Powers, JJ Powers, Mark (Rachel) Varnold, Kyle (Kendra) Varnold, Abbey Powers, Kim Varnold, Jenna Powers, Nathan (Megan) Kunkel, Caitlin Kunkel, Cory Powers, Cassy Powers, Chelsie Powers and Sarah Powers; 11 great-grandchildren and one-on-the-way, Gaeb Parry, Carson Powers, Landon Powers, Addisyn Powers, Olivia Powers, Mazzy Parry, Dillan Powers, Kellan Varnold, Mason Kunkel, Isabella Varnold, and Ashlyn Kunkel; two brothers, Ronald (Velma) Stear and Bill (Shirley) Stear; one brother-in-law, Ken Powers; two sisters-in-law, Anita Powers and Mary Francis Powers; and three special friends, Lorna Long, Mary McCoy and Bobbi Millinger.
She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Melvin Stear, Frank (Ruth) Stear, John (Alberta) Stear, Gene (Mildred) Stear, Jim (Evelyn) Crim and Harold (surviving wife Bev) Stear; two brothers-in-law, Bob Powers and Frank Powers; three sisters-in-law, Charlene (Ed) Megan, Sue Huntoon and Rena Powers; two grandchildren, David Powers and Amy Powers; and one great-grandchild, Jada Collins.
Liz attended Manual Training High School in Peoria and then worked at the Caterpillar cafeteria. She owned and operated the Elmwood Locker with her husband Jerome from 1956 to 1986. She also worked at the cafeteria at the Elmwood School from 1980 to 2010. She served as a den mother for Cub Scouts. She was also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and served on the Altar and Rosary Society Committee at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Elmwood. Liz loved playing bingo, dancing in Kewanee on Saturday nights and playing cards, especially her favorite, canasta; but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.
A private graveside service will be held with the immediate family only. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Cemetery Association, B.Y.E. Ambulance and Meals-on-Wheels.
Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Elmwood is in charge of arrangements. To view Liz's tribute video or to leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.