Max V. Phares

Max V. Phares Battle Creek Max V. Phares, 59, of Battle Creek, died at home with his family at his side, Monday, September 22, 2008. He was born in Norfolk, VA to John and Doris (Koteskey) Phares on September 27, 1948. As the son of a career Naval Officer, he was raised throughout the United States and came to Battle Creek from California in 1963. Max graduated from Battle Creek Central High School, K.C.C., and in 1979 received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Western Michigan University; was ordained on May 3, 1986, after graduating from the Diocese of Western Michigan School for Diaconate, and in 1989 received a Masters of Arts in Management from Nazareth College. Max served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1974 as a Radioman, petty officer second class, RD2, after 6 years of service. Currently Max was the Traffic Engineering Manager for the City of Battle Creek and Adjunct Instructor at Miller College. He previously served as the Traffic Signs and Signals Supervisor and Traffic Analyst for the City of Battle Creek and as Traffic and Environmental Analyst for the Calhoun County Road Commission. Surviving are his wife, Nilda E. (Gibson) Phares, whom he married May 12, 1996; his mother, Doris E. Phares, both reside in Battle Creek; his former wife, Kay T. (Knapp) Phares and their children; son, Nicholas Phares and wife Teresa, all of Battle Creek; two daughters, Meredith Huff and husband Steven, of Lawrence, KS; and Jennifer Miles and husband Christopher of Boulder, CO; a stepson, Darren Chilton and wife Amanda of Royal Oak, MI; a stepdaughter, Kimberly Chilton of Chicago, IL; a sister, Lindsey Radowski and husband James and their two children, Matthew and Rebecca of Muskegon, MI; and three granddaughters, Morgan and Alexis Phares and Brooklyn Chilton. He was preceded in death by his father, John V. Phares. Max was a member of Institute of Transportation Engineers, Michigan Association of Traffic Accident Investigators and the National Association for the Diaconate. He served the Battle Creek Community as a former Big Brother and Maple United Methodist Youth Fellowship Instructor. Max was the first male caseworker at Safe Place, a former board member at Safe Place and worked on its Crises Hotline. He was an Emergency Response member of the Calhoun County Sexual Assault Task Force, a Visitor with BCCares and a past board president and member for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council. Loved ones will remember Max as a family man, a wonderful father, uncle, Pop, and loving husband. Memorial services to celebrate Max's life will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2008. Military honors and internment will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1421 E. 12 Mile Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071, telephone (800) 456-5413 or the Oakerhater School for Diaconal Ministry at the Diocese of Western Michigan, 535 South Burdick, Suite 1, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, telephone (269) 381-2710. Arrangements are by Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestes dowdle.com.