Lillian Sylvia Maxwell Sonntag

Lillian Sylvia Sonntag, 98 of Hanford passed away and went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 8, 2013 at Hanford Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hanford, California. Prior to her stay at Hanford Nursing she had been at Valley Christian Home and before there, she enjoyed her time spent at the Remington Retirement Center in Hanford, California.

Lillian was born on August 6, 1914 to Wilfred Patrick & Lillian Bell (Allen) Maxwell in Los Angeles, California.

Lillian married the love of her life of 50 years; Fred Herman Sonntag who preceded her in death. The two of them lived in Porterville on an acre of ground with their 3 dogs and some cattle. Herman had a large vegetable garden and Lillian collected different colored irises for her garden. Although they lived a beautiful life they never had any children. Lillian had many passions in life such as; writing poetry and working with her art while Herman worked for his cousin at J.R. Young Trucking. When Herman was younger he and three of his brothers had all proudly served our country in the armed forces. After Herman’s passing, Lillian came to Hanford to be close to her niece; Barbara (Maxwell) Avila and her family. Barbara’s father was Lillian’s brother; Wilfred “Bud” & Kay Maxwell, which both have also preceded Lillian in death.

Lillian is survived by her loving sister; Margaret Lucille Bishop, 90 of Sparks, Nevada. Lillian was blessed with many nieces and nephews, which filled the void of not having had children; Barbara & LeRoy Avila of Hanford, Patricia (Maxwell) & Dean Mills of Terribonne, Oregon, Allen & Valerie Maxwell of Nome, Alaska, Johleen Alynn Thresher of Sparks, Nevada, Elmyrna Rae Sloan of Fresno and Margaret Sharon Kelly of Moreno Valley, California.

Lillian also had many great-nieces & nephews; Sandy (Avila) & Mark Vargas with her children; Joshua & wife Katelyn Vargas and Seth Vargas, Leroy Avila & wife Jenicris with his children; Devin, Colin & Savannah Avila, Joaquin & wife Angela Avila and his children; Gavin & Skylar Avila, Tammy Mills and Michael & wife Kim Mills and his children; Madison, Hannah & Maxwell “Max” Mills, Sheila (Maxwell) & husband Larry Coverston and her children; Patricia “Trish” with her son Andrew & Ashtin Coverston, Jeff & wife Sonia Maxwell and his children; Bailey, Braydon and Brock Maxwell. Alynn Thresher, Christian Thresher, William “Bill” & wife Barbara Bixman and his children; Schelley, William & Ashley, Jim and wife Nichole Bixman and his children; Maxwell & Dakota, Kathy Bengel and her children; Chris & Drake and Shelly Kelly.

No Services will be held.

Family and friends may visit www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com to view Lillian’s legacy, send condolences to the family. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Lillian’s name to the American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/donate, Muscular Dystrophy: www.mda.org/ or charity of choice.