Rhonda Jean Maze

Rhonda Jean (Barringer) Maze, a devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished grandmother, passed away Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the age of 59.

Born July 15, 1966, to Curt and Jean (Girtman) Barringer, she grew up surrounded by family, farming, and a deep love of 4-H. Just as her parents had been 4-H leaders, she proudly carried on their legacy by guiding young people in agriculture, animal care, and the values of hard work and responsibility.

She met the love of her life, Dallas, in high school while showing cattle at the Union County Fair. From that day forward, their story was marked by laughter and devotion. Their marriage was rooted in deep love and a joy that was evident to all who knew them—a bond both beautiful and enduring.

Fun, feisty, and full of life, Rhonda had a contagious laugh, a great sense of humor, and a smile that could brighten any room. When she laughed, everyone around her laughed. She loved being silly with her children, whether cracking jokes while waiting in the truck during farm chores or finding humor in projects that did not go quite as planned.

Her greatest joy was her family. She and Dallas were blessed with four children, one precious son, Wesley Franklin, who was stillborn, and three daughters, Jamie Lynn, Meagan Nicole, and Madyson Rose. As the girls grew, they found loving husbands, Patrick, Caleb, and Jacob, and built families of their own. Nothing made her happier than becoming “Memaw.” Her arms were rarely empty, and her heart was always full as she proudly welcomed her five grandbabies, Lotten Ray, Laetyn Jean, Elayne Alyce, Weslynn Dallas, and Matlocke Leon, with another little one soon to arrive. If there was a baby nearby, whether it belonged to her or not, she was sure to be the one holding it, smiling all the while.

She poured her energy into the life she and Dallas built together through gardening, canning, raising chickens, caring for cattle, horses, mules, ponies, and other livestock, all while welcoming family and friends to her table, always with plenty of homemade food to share. Although she worked various jobs throughout the years, she would say her greatest calling was being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She also shared a special bond with her mother-in-law, Vennetta, who became not only family but also one of her dearest friends. She lived these roles with unwavering devotion, joy, and an unmatched spirit that will be dearly missed.

She leaves behind her daughters and their families, Jamie and Patrick Malone, with children Elayne and Matlocke; Meagan and Caleb Cato, with children Lotten and Laetyn; and Madyson and Jacob Ellis, with their daughter Weslynn and another little one soon to arrive. Rhonda’s legacy of love, laughter, and faith will live on in each of them and in all who were blessed to know her.

She is welcomed into Heaven by her husband, Dallas, their son Wesley, and her parents, Curt and Jean, her mother-in-law, Vennetta Maze, and sister-in-law, Crystal Maze.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Blue Funeral Home, under the direction of Binkley Ross. Visitation for Rhonda will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Grange Hall Freewill Baptist Church, Marion, Illinois, with the funeral service to follow at noon. She will be laid to rest beside her husband and son at Friendship Cemetery in Goreville, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dallas and Rhonda Maze Scholarship.