Maurine Seibert

Maurine L. (Matthews) Seibert, 93, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022, at her residence at Laclede Groves Independent Living community in Webster Groves, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Ronald R. Seibert, her parents, Jasper and Jennie (Walkendorf) Matthews, her sisters Sabina (Bill) Burnside, Mildred (Jim) Taylor, and Doris (Edwin) King. Maurine is survived by her brother Jerry (late wife Mary) Matthews, brother Norman (Dottie) Matthews, sister Janet (late husband Willie) Stemler, sister Donna (John) Wright, daughter Kris Conway, son Dan (Lydia) Seibert, daughter Ronna Seibert, and daughter Julie (late husband Richard) Berman. She is further survived by 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Maurine was born in St. Louis, MO and lived most of her early years in the Centralia, IL area. Maurine graduated at age 16 from Mt. Vernon High School. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Alton Memorial School of Nursing in 1950 and received a master’s degree in counseling in 1988. Maurine worked as a registered nurse and director of nursing in several hospitals and nursing homes, as a counselor in a mental health center, in private practice, and with a hospice program. She married Rev. Ron Seibert in 1951 and they had 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She ministered to college students alongside Ron, who was a campus minister at the Wesley Foundations at Southern Illinois University and Western Illinois University. He also served the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Edwardsville, IL from 1971–72.

Maurine and Ron retired in 1992 and settled in Collinsville, IL where they were active members of St. John United Church of Christ. After Ron’s passing in 2018, Maurine moved into the Laclede Groves Independent Living community in Webster Groves, MO and joined Concord Trinity United Methodist Church. For many years she started and led “No Longer Stranger” groups with college students, church members, and recently with friends at Laclede Groves. These faith-based groups fostered personal sharing, scriptural meditation, and prayer.

Maurine loved many things: watercolor painting, traveling to Fort Meyers Beach FL and Estes Park CO, doing jigsaw puzzles, reading, caring for plants and her kitty Punkin, going to a weekly hymn sing, and spending time with biological family and the chosen family she created around her wherever she was. She was an example to all who knew her of how to show unconditional love to others, follow God’s call to a life of prayer and service, and maintain a vibrant zest for life.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Maurine to Concord Trinity United Methodist Church, 5275 Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63126. St. John Evangelical United Church of Christ, 307 W. Clay Street, Collinsville, IL 62234. Wesley Foundation at Southern Illinois University, 816 S. Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, IL 62901. Wesley Foundation at Western Illinois University, 1325 W. University Drive, Macomb, IL 61455. United Methodist Committee on Relief at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/999895.

Visitation will be on Sunday 12/18 at 3:00 pm with service following at 4:00 pm at Concord Trinity United Methodist Church, 5275 S. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO. Interment will be on Monday 12/19 at 10:30 a.m. at Ashley City Cemetery in Ashley, Illinois.