Maxwell Meise

Maxwell “Max” Arthur Meise, 89, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, May 27, 2024 (Memorial Day) in Monticello, Indiana. For those that knew him, there is no question at all that he was welcomed with open arms, while hearing the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. His life was truly a life fully lived, with his strong faith guiding him throughout. He truly exuded what it was to be a good man of faith, as well as a loving family man. He was one of the kindest & most caring men you’d ever meet. To simply know Max was to love him.

Max was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 23, 1935 to Pauline Vesta (Utterbach) & Maxwell Adron Meise, their only child. He attended Arsenal Technical High School, graduating with Honors in 1953. While in high school, he joined the Army ROTC and also earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He met his future wife, Judith “Judy” Loraine Sommers, during his teenage years. They were married on September 4, 1955, while both attending Indiana University. Max and Judy had three children, Deborah, Elizabeth, & Paul.

Max graduated from Indiana University (IU) with a Bachelor of Science in Education, as a Biology and English major, in 1957. While at IU, he continued to be a member of the Army ROTC. He was on the IU rifle team, being a letter winner for 3 years. He then went on to obtain his Master of Science in Education from IU in 1961, and his Master of Arts for Teachers, specializing in Earth Science, from IU in 1973. He also attended Kansas State, Butler University, Penn State, and Indiana State for various graduate courses in geology and earth science.

Max began his working career as a technician at Metropolitan Planners part-time from 1952-1957 (full-time from 1958-1959) working on land use surveys and drafting. He then served as a 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army at Ft. Benning, Georgia from 1957-1958 as a rifle instructor. He remained in the Army Reserves until 1965, as a weapons platoon leader and armory commander. His primary career was as a teacher for 40 years at Warren Central High School from 1959-1999. He taught biology, physical science, earth science, and English, as well as teaching several special interest courses and computer science to gifted students. He even went on to publish a study guide and lab manual, “Student Guide to Investigating the Earth” in 1999, during his final year of teaching. He left a huge and long-lasting impression on the numerous students that he taught over those 40 years.

After retiring from teaching, Max served on the town council of McCordsville, IN for over 16 years, from 2000-2016. During this time, he served as council president, vice president & organizer, first chairman of the planning and zoning committee, and also served as interim town manager and town president. He was also a member of numerous other committees in both Hancock County and the state of Indiana.

For his decades of public service to others, Max earned several awards. He was recognized by the Indiana University I-Men’s Association for his 50 years of devotion and loyalty to Indiana University athletics as an I-Man (2004). He received the “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition” for 16 years of service to the McCordsville Town Council (2016). He was also presented with the “Distinguished Hoosier” award from the Office of the Governor of the State of Indiana Governor (Mike Pence) for his over 64 years spent in public service (2016).

Along with dedicating his life to teaching and public service, Max was involved with numerous other organizations and causes. He was a vice-captain and coxswain in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, teaching boating safety classes, doing vessel inspections, and patrolling Lake Shafer. He was also very involved in the church, playing keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, solo singing, family quartet singing, church choir, youth work (he took several youth groups on trips to the beach ministry, Noah’s Ark, in Panama City Beach, FL), puppet ministry, and various church-elected positions. He served on the board of directors for both the Indianapolis Yacht Club and the Indiana Planning Association. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Indianapolis Sailing Club, IU Alumni Association, and IU Men’s Club. His many hobbies included model railroading (especially his “train room” in his latter years), gardening, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, playing many instruments (mentioned above), especially his Grand Piano, and spending summers on Lake Shafer. He was an avid IU basketball and football fan, being a season pass holder for over 30 years from 1968 to 2020. Another memorable moment was when Max participated as a torch bearer during the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay in 2016 as it passed through McCordsville (where he lived at that time).

Surviving is his wife of over 68 years, Judy; three children, Deborah (Bradly) Denton, Elizabeth “Beth” (Jim) Smith, Paul (Staci Willenbrink) Meise; seven grandchildren, Rachael (Silas) Smith, Rebekah Fischer-King, Benjamin (Shelby) Fischer, Katie Smith, Amanda (Drew) Bleyle, Laura (Jay) Lovell, and Jadon (Justice Martin) Meise; ten great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Caleb, & Hannah Smith, Zachery King, Adeline Fischer, Kipton & Scarlett Bleyle, and Leighton, Foster, & Bexley Lovell; sister-in-law, Jane Stokes, and one niece, Ellie Campbell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pauline & Maxwell Meise Sr.

Max always treasured his lifelong faith. He will be forever missed and remembered by those who knew and loved him. But we rest assured knowing that he is now fully healed and resting in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and look forward to one day being reunited with him in Heaven.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Monticello.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 1:00 pm at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church with Fr. Dan Duff officiating

Burial will follow in Chalmers Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to White County Food Pantry.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home is entrusted with care.

Friends and family are encouraged to share a photo, a memory, or messages of condolence at www.springervoorhisdraper.com