Robert J. 'Bob' Maus - Lexington, Ill.

Robert J. "Bob" Maus, 75, of Lexington, Ill., died Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at 6:46 p.m. at his home following a lengthy illness.

Visitation will be Saturday Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lexington. Mass of Resurrection will follow at 10:30 a.m., Fr. Carl Lo Presti will officiate. Cremation rites will follow the service.

Memorials may be made to Wish Bone Rescue, 1303 Morrissey, Bloomington, IL.

Calvert-Johnson & Musselman Funeral Home, Lexington is in charge of arrangements.

Bob was born Sept. 1, 1937, In Minnesota City, to James and Lucille (Stevens) Maus. He married Gwen Lea Boysen on Dec. 26, 1962, in Kasson. She preceded him in death on Jan. 11, 1994. He later married Susan Takacs on May 30, 2005, at St. Mary’s Church, Lexington. She survives in Lexington.

Also surviving is one daughter, Gina (George) Wood of Bloomington, Ill.; his granddaughter, Sophia Wood; one sister, Catherine (James) Minnihan of Moline, Ill.; and Susan’s children and grandchildren, Blair (Ted) Ewing of Clarendon Hills, Ill., and Kristi (Nathan) Brant of Wernersville, Pa., Max and Nora Ewing, Annalee, Dahlia and Gwyneth Brant.

His parents preceded him in death.

Bob was a graduate of Winona High School class of 1955. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Winona State University, his master's degree from the University of Iowa, a specialist degree from Western Illinois University and his Ph. D. from Illinois State University. He was a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in education at Illinois State.

Bob started his working career as a social worker helping individuals who had been institutionalized return to their homes and communities. With a great love for carpentry and drafting, he then taught Industrial Arts, before pursuing a career in public and private school administration. He was an administrator for several public schools in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. He was the coordinator for Mid-Central Illinois Regional Council of Carpenters-JATC, and apprenticeship program in Pekin, Ill. He then served as the director for Pontiac Correctional Center’s Educational Program for many years. He retired in 2002, as a teacher at Logan Correctional Center. He received the "Golden Apple Award" for excellence in teaching before retiring. He completely dedicated himself to his work and will be remembered for the passion and energy hr brought to his schools.

Although Bob was devoted to education and finding means for his students to have as many opportunities as they desired, farming was always dear to him. Having been born on a farm in southeastern Minnesota, he spent his youth working his family’s fields and tending to their livestock. In 1985, he was able to return to farm life, operating a small farm and horse boarding stable (Mahir Farms) in Lexington. He had a great love for horses, especially Arabians. He was very fond of John Deere tractors and enjoyed anything "green." Bob was known for his abilities to create, build and fix anything.

Most importantly, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. Although he has left us with his incredible spirit and wonderful memories, he will be dearly missed.