Norris Gene Maddox

Norris Gene Maddox, 88, of Palestine, IL, died at 3:30 a.m. (EST) on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. He was born May 8, 1929 in Heathsville, IL, the son of James Weaver Maddox & Amy Angeline (Brashear) Maddox, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Carol Sue Price on November 10, 1950, and she preceded him in death on September 21, 2010. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jim Maddox and Gerald Maddox; by his sisters, Wilma Alumbaugh, Virginia Maddox, and Vera Joann Maddox; and by his nephews, Paul Dresser and Dennis Maddox. He is survived by his daughters & sons-in-law, Cindy & Robert York (Palestine, IL) and Becky & Steve McCrillis (Palestine, IL); by his grandchildren & their spouses, Joel & Missy York (Palestine, IL), Michelle & Clayton Bishop (Marshall, IL), Jennifer & Matt McCoy (Palestine, IL), Tyler McCrillis & Michael Clark (Louisville, KY), and Evan & Hillary McCrillis (Palestine, IL); by his great-grandchildren, Cody York, Brady York, Fisher Bishop, Baylee Bishop, Colby McCoy, Campbell McCoy, and Presley Maddox McCrillis (expected in April of 2018). He is also survived by his sister, Maxine Zeller (Oblong, IL); as well as several nieces and nephews. Gene grew up in the Heathsville area and would attend McKibbon School before moving on to Palestine Township High School, where he graduated in 1948. He worked for a number of local businesses through the years: he was an attendant at Lane's Gas Station; he was a repairman at Chuck Hout's Appliance Sales & Repair; he was a lineman for Palestine Telephone Company; all before taking on the role of office manager for Contel Communications, where he worked for over 30 years before retirement. Gene always had a fondness for the Village of Palestine, and believed he had a civic duty to care for it, having served as its Village Clerk. When he wasn’t behind a desk, he could often be found outdoors. Over the course of his life, he spent countless hours vegetable gardening, fishing, and mushroom hunting. He was also a fixture at local car shows, and was always a hit with his 1950 Chevy. Gene was a man who took pride in his work, no matter what the task. He was a proud, devoted husband, father and grandfather who lived his life as an example to his family, and they will continue his legacy for years to come. He was a longtime member of the First Christian Church of Palestine; a 50+ year member of Palestine Masonic Lodge; as well as a past member of the Palestine Lions Club, Fisherman's 21 Club, and Crawford County Collectables. A time of visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13th at the funeral home, with burial following in the Palestine Cemetery. Pastors Karen Russell and Dennis Steckley will officiate the services. Memorials may be made to the “Crawford County 4-H and Extension Foundation” or to the “Palestine Grant-In-Aid Foundation”.