Rita E. Maksimik

Rita E. Maksimik (Jaeger) of Plainfield, Illinois, formerly of Calumet City, Illinois and Hammond, Indiana, age 90, passed away on May 24th, 2025 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Illinois. Rita was born in Chicago, IL on June 8, 1934 to her father Joseph Jaeger and mother Cecilia Jaeger (nee Schiesser).

Rita was born in Chicago, and was raised in Hammond Indiana where she graduated from All Saints Catholic grade school, and Hammond High School. She married her husband John Maksimik, and then moved to Calumet City where she lived with her family and raised her children until moving to Plainfield, Illinois in late 1997. Rita was a Lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Calumet City at Calumet Memorial Post 330, and in Plainfield at Marne Post 13 (Past President and officer of both posts). She served as Treasurer for seven years, President, Vice-President, Membership as well as most chairmanships including Rehabilitation of hospitalized veterans. She was involved in the Scouting program, as a Cub Scout Den Leader, Den Leader Coach, District Commissioner, Catholic Committee on Scouting, and recipient of Awards: Saint George Emblem, Bronze Pelican Emblem, Silver Beaver award, District Award of Merit, Woodbadge, and named a Fellow with Lord Baden-Powell University of Scouting. Rita was active in both Calumet Council and Rainbow council of the Boy Scouts of America and Rita Instructed National Woodbadge training at Philmont National Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. Rita was a parishioner of Saint Victor Catholic Church in Calumet City, and a member of the Religious Education Committee and parishioner at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield, Illinois where she taught religious education to 6th and 7th grades catechism students. Rita was also a member of the St. Mary Immaculate Resurrection Choir, Council of Catholic Women, and was an adorer of Eucharistic Adoration. At St. Victor Rita was a member of the Glory Choir and served as president of the church women. She was also a member of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, a Catholic religious organization. Rita has held offices in many organizations: PTA, Little League, Band Parents, Summerfield Homeowners Association secretary and pond committee. As a member of Wesmere Elementary PTA, she assisted with the Christmas Gifts Program. She was Employed at Continental Assurance Company (CNA) in Chicago, for ten years, and then Calumet Auto Parts in Hammond, Indiana, and then Van Der AA (Vancom) Bus Lines in South Holland, Illinois as a school bus and charter driver for 17 years, and a PACE special services driver and week-end dispatcher. Rita was also employed at Retina Associates in Munster, Indiana as a receptionist.

Rita was a devoted wife and beloved mother of six sons, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was loved by all who knew her. Rita’s legacy of a large family and active life in the community was a testament to her Catholic upbringing and continuing faith. She worked many years as a volunteer in religious and civic organizations, and was a faithful and devoted Catholic mother, attending mass regularly, and special devotions such as Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction and Rosary prayers. She was a beloved godmother to one nephew and one grandchild, and a devoted “Team Mom” to her son Michael’s Semi-Pro football team, The Stallions of Country Club Hills, handling team uniform sewing and repairs. Rita also provided baked goods at times for the Knights of Columbus (St. Mary’s) Fish Fry’s during lent.

Preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Cecilia (nee Schiesser) Jaeger and her stepmother Grace Jaeger (nee Shoup), all of Hammond, Indiana, and her husband John of 48 years, as well as her siblings Ralph and Ruth Jaeger, and her niece Margaret (Meg) Jaeger.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children John Maksimik of Hammond, Indiana, Andy (Lynne) Maksimik of Dyer, Indiana, Thomas (Kimberly) Maksimik of Grovetown, Georgia, Michael Maksimik of Plainfield, Illinois, Christopher Maksimik of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Stephen (Mary) Maksimik of Lake Station Indiana; her grandchildren John, Ryan, Randy, Jessica, Thomas, Timothy, Jordan, Matthew(godchild), Christopher, Taylor, and Stephen Jr.; step grandchildren Tarra, Ryan, Phillip and Brooke; great-grandchildren Jack, Emma Lea, Beckham, and Michael; her nephews and nieces Theodore (Ted), Anthony(Tony)(godchild), Elizabeth(Beth), and Joseph(Joe) Jaeger of Lansing, Illinois; and Kathy (Ron) Jonaitis (nee Maksimik) of Flower Mound, Texas; and cousin Bruce Barton Sr. of Crete Illinois.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 1 W. Wilhelm St. Schererville, IN 46375 on Monday June 2, 2025 from 9:30 am until 10:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am, and immediately following Mass, Rita will return to her husband John’s side at the St. Michael’s Church Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to a joint effort between Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life of Joliet, IL and Lincoln Ridge Funeral Home of Schererville, IN.