Max R. Reynolds, age 85, passed away April 14, 2014, at 5:27 a.m. at the Lost Creek Care Center. Max was born May 15, 1928 in New Castle, VA, to Clarence and Maude (Caldwell) Reynolds of Jackson, Ohio, who preceded him in death. On August 11, 1956, he married Mary Henderson Reynolds, who survives in Lima.
Max graduated from Jackson High School in 1946. After high school he joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War from 1950 until 1952 and attained the rank of corporal. After his active duty he then served in the U.S. Army active reserves from 1952 until 1959. During his stint in the military, he received numerous citations. The highlight of his military career came in 2000, when he and 20 other veterans attended the 50th anniversary of the Burning of the Colors of the 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion held in November of every year in Korea.
After the military, Max took a position with Excello (EL Pack) and worked there for 38 years until he retired in 1992. Max was always involved in politics and labor organizations. He was a member of the Bluffton UAW #1327, where he had served as Finance Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and Committeeman. Max was a 50-year member of the Grace United Methodist Church until it closed and he then became a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church. He was a life member of the Wapakoneta VFW #8445, and the Korean War Veterans Alliance. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Eagles #370. Max also loved to make crafts out of wood and working in his yard.
Max is survived by two daughters, Sharolyn (Kevin Becker) Pifer-Becker of Danville, IN, and Debra Puffenberger of Lima, OH; three grandchildren, Shawn Pifer of Danville, IN, Stephanie Pifer of Danville, IN and Olivia Puffenberger of Lima, OH; great-grandson, Rhilen Pifer of Danville, IN; sister, Eloise Parks of Washington Courthouse, OH; brother, James (Janice) Reynolds of Washington Courthouse, OH; sister, Jean Hammond of Chillicothe, OH; sister, Phyllis Cribben of Jackson, OH; and sister, Joanne (Wendell) Chapman of Wilkesville, OH.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Madelyn Sue Reynolds; a son, Charles R. Reynolds; three brothers, Paschal D. Reynolds of Lima, Elliott Reynolds of Lima, and Wesley Reynolds of Jackson; brothers-in-law, Charles Parks of Washington Courthouse, Gerald Hammond of Jackson and Roger Cribben of Jackson.
Funeral services will be held at the Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services Eastside Chapel at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Eastside Chapel. Officiating the service will be Elder Ted Cory. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project. Condolences may be expressed at chiles-lamanfh.com