Du Quoin Firefighter Frank Maxton Honored for 45 Years of Service

Du Quoin firefighter Frank Maxton recently retired from the Du Quoin Fire Department after 45 years of service as a paid-on-call firefighter. His service began in 1967, the son of longtime firefighter, the late Scottie Maxton. He was honored during a reception hosted by firefighters and friends on Sunday at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. Assistant Fire Chief Rick Loyd (left) presented Mr. Maxton with this engraved plaque, acknowledging his commitment to the community.

Maxton was actually born "Frances" Maxton and smiled at the reception saying "this could cause problems when I die." Everyone knows him as Frank.

Frank Maxton is honored to share the same birthday as the late 34th U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower. In fact, Maxton had actually exchanged birthday cards with President Eisenhower. He also shook Eisenhower's hand before he became president.

In January 1954 at the age of 20, Maxton was drafted into the Korean War and served as a medic in a tank unit. He received his mortuary science degree and returned to Du Quoin to purchase Weinberg Funeral Home in 1967. He shared responsibilities between the funeral home, firefighting, his church, the Du Quoin Lions and the Rotary Club.

In recent years he has continued to man the fire station during fire calls. It happened again last week.

At the reception, firefighters shared stories about their work--the seriousness of it and the humor of some of it. Despite his retirement, he remains an integral part of what firefighting is all about.