Helen Maxine Coble Chilson, Age: 100
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Jul 24, 1926---Oct 29, 2026

 Helen Maxine Coble Chilson, Daughter of Celesta and Roy Coble, born in Gainesville, Missouri, on July 24, 1926, passed away surrounded by her family on October 29, 2026.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 31 years, Joseph Chilson, who passed in 1979. 

Known as Maxine or G-Max, to friends and family, she was the eldest of 12 children and was reportedly regarded as the very best big sister anyone could want. As is the case with eldest daughters and big families, Maxine was regularly enlisted to help care for the other children, which expertise came in very handy when it came time to have her own family. 

Maxine had an interesting life. She worked as a Harvey Girl at the Union Station Diner, where she met Joseph Chilson, who she quickly realized was the love of her life. Maxine and Joseph had three children: Stephen Chilson, Michael Chilson (Jackie), and Celesta Chilson Baska (David). 

Maxine managed her ability to function exceptionally well in a continual state of chaos in myriad ways. She worked at Roe Lanes Bowling Alley for a number of years, helping wrangle kiddos while their parents bowled. As if that special brand of chaos wasn’t enough, she ran an in-home daycare business for many years, putting to good use her reputation as “the baby whisperer.” 

Maxine loved the simple things, which often prove to be the very best things. She enjoyed watching anything featuring John Wayne, her hummingbirds, watching The Wheel, eating Hot Cheetos and chasing them down with a mini can of ice-cold Mountain Dew with a straw, and watching Country & Western dancing on TV. 

Maxine celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year and it was abundantly clear how many lives she had touched over the years. She was a special woman, with much love in her heart, and she will be missed terribly. 

The funeral will be held on Thursday, November 5th  visitation at 10 am and services at 11 am, at Porter Funeral Home located at 1835 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, Kansas. The family will have a celebration of life gathering following interment at Mount Washington Cemetery, at Holt Veterans Legion, 309 Main, Holt, Missouri. 

 

 


Condolences

Mark and Mari Hernandez Oct 29, 2026

Grandsons extended family ,New Caney ,Texas

to all of grandma Maxine’s family this is a sad loss. Grandma Max was full of life and she cherished all of her family. I will always have such appreciation and respect for her as she opened her arms to my husband and I and never made us feel like anything less than family. She made us laugh she made us cry because we laughed so hard, she was just such an amazing lady. Our hearts condolences thoughts and prayers go out to all of her family. She had a unique and precious relationship with everyone around her. I still have the potholders she made us by hand. She will be greatly missed but we will cherish all of the memories and pictures of her. Always the Hernandez family

Roger Kennedy Oct 30, 2026

Fri ,Kansas City ,Kansas

So sorry for your loss. Super nice lady. Roger Kennedy

Sharon ivy Nov 02, 2026

Niece ,Liberty ,Missouri

Truly the grandest lady of them all. There is a tremendous coble reunion going on in the sky. Brings me peace. And I hope it does her family. She loved everyone in it.

Yvonne ( Evelyn) Ontiveros Nov 03, 2026

Granddaughter in law ,Greenwood ,Missouri

Some people are so special that no matter how many years we are blessed to have them, it will never feel like enough. Grandma was one of those people. ❤️ For over 20 years, I had the privilege of knowing and loving this beautiful woman. Although she was my husband's grandmother, she never made me feel like I was anything other than her own family. She welcomed me, my children, and eventually my grandchildren with the same kindness, love, and respect she showed everyone around her. There was never a difference in her eyes, and that is something I will carry in my heart forever. Grandma had such a gentle, sweet spirit. She was always so thoughtful, so polite, and so genuinely concerned about others. Even when she wasn't feeling well herself, she still found the time to ask how I was doing. After I became ill a few years ago, we shared our own little understanding of what it felt like to have our bodies not cooperate with us. We would laugh and joke about which one of us had been sick again or who had taken another fall. Looking back now, those little conversations mean more to me than I could ever put into words. I wish I could have just one more of them with her. I also had the privilege of witnessing the incredible love and respect her grandchildren had for her. Watching my husband, his siblings, and their cousins love and honor her throughout the years spoke volumes about the woman she was. That kind of love and respect isn't simply given because someone is an elder. It's earned through a lifetime of love, patience, kindness, and the way you treat people. And Grandma deserved every bit of it. One hundred years. What an incredible blessing. But when I think of Grandma, I won't remember her simply for the number of years she lived. I'll remember the way she treated people, the kindness in her heart, her concern for others even when she had her own struggles, and the way she made everyone feel like they belonged. Grandma, thank you for loving me and my family as your own. Thank you for the laughter, the conversations, the kindness, and the beautiful example you set for all of us. I hope you knew just how deeply you were loved and respected, not only by the family you were born into, but also by those of us who were blessed to become part of it. One hundred years of life, a lifetime of love, and a legacy that will live on for generations. Rest peacefully, sweet Grandma. I will always be grateful that life gave me the chance to call you mine, too. ❤️

Services

Event:
Funeral Service
Location:
Porter Funeral Home
Address:
1835 Minnesota Avenue
City:
Kansas City
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66102
Date:
Nov 05, 2026
Time:
10:00 AM
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