Marissa: 618-295-2321 | New Athens: 618-475-2151 | Sparta & Tilden: 618-443-2139

Maurine Adele (Howie) Van Sant-Smith

Maurine Adele (Howie) Van Sant-Smith

Maurine Adele Howie Van Sant Smith

Jan 25, 1940 – June 24, 2021

Maurine, 81, passed away peacefully with family by her side in Coulterville, IL, following complications from a fall and a battle with dementia.

Maurine attended high school in Sparta Illinois and worked as a CNA at Pinckneyville Community Hospital and then as a worker at Gilster Mary Lee in Steeleville, IL. She also volunteered her services as an EMT in Coulterville, IL.

She was an active member at Grandcote Reformed Presbyterian Church in Coulterville, IL, and she attended Trinity Presbyterian Church in Sparta, IL as well.

Her interests included many years devoted  to being a Girl Scout leader, playing in card clubs, sewing, cooking, board games, reading the Bible and spending time with family and friends.

Maurine is survived by one sister, Naomi (Norman) Howie Owens of Marissa, IL; two daughters, Charlene Van Sant of Coulterville, IL and Vivian Van Sant of Sparta, IL; she also raised three grandchildren in her home, Donald, Charles and Charina; six other grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Maurine was preceded in death by her parents, William Emerson and Edith Howie; three brothers, Harlen, Ferrell and Terry Howie; one sister, Wilma (Keith) Howie-Mahan; only son, Roger Dean Van Sant; two grandchildren; one great grandchild.

A celebration of life gathering will be held from 9:00am-12:30 pm on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta IL. Friends and family can get together and remember all the good times they shared with Maurine.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, MO, the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements

Share this...
  1. Karen Howie Strack says:

    I am so very sorry to hear of Aunt Maurine’s passing. She was very giving and loved to give showers and go all out. I remember very fondly of those little green 🎄 Christmas trees from her cookie press. They were soooo delicious! I have tried for over 20 yrs to make them as good as hers. But mine isn’t anywhere close to hers. I wish I would have had her give me her recipe. Sending hugs to all . She sure had a warm smile.

    • Susan Karnes says:

      Just wanted to tell Naomi how sorry I am for your loss.
      I didn’t really know Maurine only thru you and Wilma.
      Again I will keep you and your family in my prayers

  2. Stan and Bev says:

    Sorry for the loss of your sister Naomi . Our sympathy to you and the rest of her family.

  3. Denise Bird says:

    You have my sympathy.

  4. Linda Thompson says:

    Charina and Sandy, I am so sorry to hear of the lose of your grandma! She was such a wonderful, giving lady. I really enjoyed the time we spent together with our Girl Scouts and am thankful she volunteered to help me out. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

  5. Sherri Wildt says:

    Naomi – Our sympathy to you and your family on the death of your sister. Ken and Sherri

  6. Cindy Green Lowe says:

    Vivian. So sorry to about the loss of your mom. She was my second mom growing up. I will miss seeing her at church we I go have to visit.

  7. Larry McGuire says:

    My sincerest condolences to the Howie family. May God grant you many fond memories of Maurine to keep and to cherish.

  8. Nancy Shevlin says:

    Charina, I am so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. May she rest and n peace.

  9. Michelle says:

    Rina I am so very sorry for your loss, I no she was your world.

  10. Debra Holliday says:

    Rina .. I’m so terribly sorry for your loss . Your Grandmother sounds so full of love and caring..
    I so happy you had this beautiful
    Women. In your life .. you are not alone … she will watch over you from heaven as your Guardian Angel.. sending you hugs prayers and love 🙏💕♥️

    • Cathie Raney says:

      My sympathy to your family. Maureen was a sweet, thoughtful neighbor. Praying for peace and comfort for you all

12 Comments

  1. Rina .. I’m so terribly sorry for your loss . Your Grandmother sounds so full of love and caring..
    I so happy you had this beautiful
    Women. In your life .. you are not alone … she will watch over you from heaven as your Guardian Angel.. sending you hugs prayers and love 🙏💕♥️

    Reply
    • My sympathy to your family. Maureen was a sweet, thoughtful neighbor. Praying for peace and comfort for you all

      Reply
  2. Rina I am so very sorry for your loss, I no she was your world.

    Reply
  3. Charina, I am so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. May she rest and n peace.

    Reply
  4. My sincerest condolences to the Howie family. May God grant you many fond memories of Maurine to keep and to cherish.

    Reply
  5. Vivian. So sorry to about the loss of your mom. She was my second mom growing up. I will miss seeing her at church we I go have to visit.

    Reply
  6. Naomi – Our sympathy to you and your family on the death of your sister. Ken and Sherri

    Reply
  7. Charina and Sandy, I am so sorry to hear of the lose of your grandma! She was such a wonderful, giving lady. I really enjoyed the time we spent together with our Girl Scouts and am thankful she volunteered to help me out. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

    Reply
  8. You have my sympathy.

    Reply
  9. Sorry for the loss of your sister Naomi . Our sympathy to you and the rest of her family.

    Reply
  10. I am so very sorry to hear of Aunt Maurine’s passing. She was very giving and loved to give showers and go all out. I remember very fondly of those little green 🎄 Christmas trees from her cookie press. They were soooo delicious! I have tried for over 20 yrs to make them as good as hers. But mine isn’t anywhere close to hers. I wish I would have had her give me her recipe. Sending hugs to all . She sure had a warm smile.

    Reply
    • Just wanted to tell Naomi how sorry I am for your loss.
      I didn’t really know Maurine only thru you and Wilma.
      Again I will keep you and your family in my prayers

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.