Bethalto—Harold "Gene" Maynard passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022 at OSF St. Anthony's Health Center.

Gene was born Aug. 28, 1941 in East Alton to Floyd and Mary (Ralph) Maynard.

He married Linda Marie Crayne on May 25, 1985.  She survives.

Gene worked in the mold shop at Owens-Illinois Glass and later at Boeing, where in retired in 2003.

A music legend, Gene was an accomplished musician.  He organized the Gene Maynard Band and performed and entertained in all the local clubs for over 60 years, sharing the stage with countless musician friends who had played a part in his band.  His passion for playing the guitar and his love of classic country music was always on full display to anyone who knew him.

Gene was truly one of a kind.  He never met a stranger and greeted everyone with one of his corny jokes.  He knew them all, so it was a waste of time to tell him one.  He would just finish the punch line for you.

In addition to his wife, Linda, Gene is survived by a son, Michael (Carla) Maynard; a son Shaun (Janet Barth) Maynard; grandchildren Miranda (Derek) Schaaf, Tyler and Austin Maynard, Chaunta (Craig) Davis, Andrea Battles, Kyle Hoekstra (Samantha Newby); 12 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Wilson of Bethalto and Kay (Jim) Kaylor of Prairietown; a sister-in-law, Rebecca Calvey Maynard; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Donna Crayne of Centre, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bob Maynard; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Bill Lawson and Gloria and Burton Godowitz; a brother, David Maynard; a father- and mother-in-law, Ted and Eunice Crayne; and his former wife and mother to Michael and Shaun, Diana Westbrook.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 5 at Paynic Home for Funerals from 11 a.m. until services begin at 1 p.m.  Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com