Richard L. Max Sr.

Richard L. Max Sr., 89, of Elkhart died November 30, 2021 at his home. Dick was born on April 21, 1932 in Rainsville, Indiana to the late Charles Parker Max and Helen Cox. Dick married Deloris Herdman on a Southern Gospel cruise ship on October 27, 1986. She preceded him in death on December 8, 2020.

Dick is survived by many loving family members who will miss him dearly.

He lived with his grandparents the first part of his life. Later his mother married Woodrow Klettheimer and they moved to Pine Village, Indiana. Richard attended school there and, in the summer, worked for local farmers. When Dick started the nineth grade he moved to Lafayette, Indiana. Richard graduated High School early 3 years later. During high school Dick worked at the Piggly Wiggly Supermarket after school and during the summer months learning how to cut different types of meats. After he graduated high school, he went into the T.V. antenna business. Later he went into the T.V. and appliance business owning the largest T.V. and Appliance store in Lafayette. In 1957 he sold the store and moved to Goshen. He then began to work for Robert Ingram cutting meat for a retail meat cutting business. Shortly after in the same building he opened the Super Steer Supermarket. After Dick sold this business, he moved to Elkhart. After moving to Elkhart, he went into the plumbing business which later evolved into a full construction company. After selling his construction business he purchased the Indiana Hotel at 600 South Main Street in Elkhart. He remodeled the rooms into small apartments and installed a restaurant and bar which was called The Frontier Inn. He also owned and operated the Bristol Mobile Home Park. Dick also owned the Bull Dog Crossing convenience store for several years.

In 1992 Dick and Deloris went into the health food business, he later sold the business to his stepdaughter and stepson. Dick was involved in several organizations. He was past Treasurer and President of the Michiana Retail Association. Dick was a Precinct Committeeman for several years as well as a Republican delegate to the Indiana State convention from Elkhart County. Richard has been a Kiwanian for over 50 years. He has been chairman of all the committees and has been a distinguished President as well as a distinguished Lt. Governor. He attended 31 worldwide international conventions as a delegate or a backup delegate. Dick also attended 37 state conventions as a delegate or backup delegate. He was the Kiwanian of the year award twice. Richard help found the Elkhart Community Bank and served on the Board until the bank merged with Goshen Bank to become Indiana Community Bank. Dick and Delores loved to travel all around the world and visited all 50 United States.

Visitation for Dick will be on Monday, December 6, 2021 from 11am-12pm with a service to follow at 12pm at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home in Elkhart. Adam Baker will be officiating the service. Burial will follow at Olive Cemetery. 

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