Karl E. Maple
We are saddened to report news of the recent passing of Board Member Karl E. Maple. Mr. Maple, 81, passed on April 23, 2026, at his residence in Elkville, Illinois.
A member since 2011, Karl Maple, had served as an economic development representative for the Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board (SIWDB) representing the Jackson County Growth Alliance. He was also a member of the American Job Center One-Stop Committee, and most recently served as an advisory member to the SIWDB.
In addition to his service to the SIWDB, Karl, PhD, MS, had been an instructor at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg. He was Chairman, Department of Social Sciences at John A. Logan College. He was a professor at John A. Logan College. Karl was a research assistant at Southern Illinois University. Karl had been District Assistant for Congressman Bill Enyart, Congressman Jerry Costello, Congressman Glenn Poshard, and Congressman Paul Simon. He had been councilman in Elkville, was on the Jackson County Board, was Chairman for Jackson County Public Housing Authority, and was on the Board of Directors of Prison Family Support in Carbondale.
He was named Distinguished Faculty by the Logan student body and was named Outstanding Young Educator by the Illinois Jaycees. Karl was a member of the National Education Association, Illinois Education Association, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Delta Pi.