Max Tessier, 102, of Washington, Illinois, passed away at 2:39 am on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Apostolic Christian Home-Roanoke, surrounded by his family.He was born on June 6, 1923, in Berwick, Illinois, the son of Ezra and Grace Stevenson Tessier. He married Belva Combs on January 9, 1943, in London Mills. Belva passed away on June 9, 2016. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dean Tessier; one half-brother, Dale Tessier; and one sister, Audrey Rudloff.
Surviving family members include one son, H. Wayne (Janice) Tessier of Morton, IL; four daughters, Marilyn (Dale) Martin of Winston-Salem, NC; Connie (Keith) Hohulin and Phyllis (Jim) Stewart, both of Cumming, GA; and Kathryn (Scott) Ehrsam of Washington, IL. The family includes nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Also surviving are two half-siblings, Loren Tessier of London Mills, IL and Judy Anderson of Galesburg, IL, several nieces, nephews, cousins and his best friend, Audrey Kochendorfer.
Max graduated from London Mills High School in 1941 and then began attending Western Illinois University. His college studies were interrupted at the end of 1942, when he was drafted into the Army Air Corps (now the US Air Force) to serve in WWII. He and Belva spent the first few months of their marriage preparing for Max to be shipped overseas. Max served in the South Pacific as a Company Clerk; he made many lifelong friends through his service and was proud to serve his country.
Upon his discharge from the service, Max returned to university, this time at the University of Illinois. Max received a degree in Education and taught Agriculture; his first year of teaching was in Bath, IL, and he moved for his second year to Easton, IL, where he remained for 11 years. During his time in Easton, Max pursued and received a Master's Degree in Education Administration. In 1960, Max moved his family to Roanoke, IL, where he taught for 3 years before becoming the principal at Roanoke-Benson Jr. High. He remained in Roanoke until 1969, when he accepted the job as Superintendent of Schools in Pecatonica, IL.
Max retired for the first time in 1978, at which time he and Belva moved to Washington, IL, where he remained until January of 2025. After his first year of retirement, Max had the opportunity to return to his favorite job, teaching. In 1979, he began teaching at Metamora High School; in addition to teaching Ag, he also taught Electricity and Small Engines. He taught until 1989, when he retired for the second time. He continued teaching as a substitute into his 80's - he loved being a teacher! Not only was it a rewarding career, it also created lifelong friendships with teachers, administrators and students alike.
In addition to teaching, Max was active at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Washington, where he served on the board for several terms as President of the Board, as well as serving as a deacon in the church. He was active in the VFW, the American Legion, and Rotary International. He drove for Meals on Wheels and volunteered in several community groups. In 2005, Max was named Good Neighbor of the Year in Washington and in 2025, Veteran's Day was proclaimed as 'Max S Tessier Day' in Washington.
Max lived his life for God, his family and serving others - a wonderful example for us all.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Mason-White Funeral Home. Max's funeral service is scheduled for 11 am on Thursday, May 14, 2026, with an one hour visitation preceding at 10 am, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Washington; Pastors Jen Beamsley and Dick Hanson will be officiating. A luncheon will be served immediately after the service in The Gathering Room at St. Mark's. Following the service, cremation will take place, and his remains will be buried at West Midway Cemetery in London Mills, IL at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church or VFW Post 9016 in Washington. Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington has been entrusted with the arrangements. To share a memory or send a condolence to his family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.
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Arbre généalogique
Max Tessier
8. Ezra Tessier et Grace Stevenson
7. Harry Tessier et Lettie Moye
6. Léandre Tessier et Joséphine Reese
5. Michel Tessier et Rose Bélinge
4. François Tessier et Marguerite Sylvestre
3. Jacques Tessier et Marie-Louise Monet
2. Jean-Baptiste Tessier et Élisabeth Renaud
1. Urbain Tessier et Marie Archambault
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