Maxwell George Anderson Sr.

Maxwell George Anderson, Sr died October 25, 2025 at the age of 87. He was born in Gary, Indiana and raised in Muenster and attended Hammond High School.
He graduated from Indiana University and was a proud member of Acacia Fraternity and ROTC. He joined the Indiana National Guard – trained at U.S Army Fort Leonard Wood and was later activated for weeks to assist in severe flooding in Indiana.
He moved to Chicago and began his career in advertising sales at the Chicago Tribune, later working for advertising giants Leo Burnett and Young & Rubicam. He enjoyed sharing stories of his days working in Chicago during the "golden age" of advertising.
He married the love of his life, Bonnie Gay Dalrymple in 1965 and had two children. Soon after, Bonnie succumbed to breast cancer and Max spent the next twenty-years devoted to raising his two young children – never missing a school or sporting event. Throughout the years Max and his kids spent many vacations on Nantucket Island. He felt immense joy to have passed on his love of Nantucket to his grandchildren, where many family memories continue to be made.
In 1978 he started a company in the garage of his home, Promotion Activators, and worked tirelessly for many years, growing it into a successful, nationally respected sales promotion company where his son Max would later join him.
After many years of building his company and focusing on raising his kids, Max found love again and spent over 20 years with his partner, Peggy. Together they traveled to nearly every corner of the earth and enjoyed many great adventures.
Max was an avid gardener and birder, passing that love on to his daughter, Holly. Many of his loved ones often received updates and photos of his beautiful perennial garden and the many birds that visited his feeders. Before mobility became an issue, he was an avid golfer and enjoyed many golf-outings with his son and a special group of Wheeling High School friends and parents.
He was a consummate sports fan. He was seldom seen without his Chicago White Sox or IU baseball cap on and planned his days around games – regardless of what teams were playing. He also enjoyed watching volleyball and spent many days courtside cheering on his granddaughter. He was proudly progressive and cared deeply about the environment, human rights and animal welfare.
Max was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie (Dalrymple); parents, George and Gladys Anderson; brother, Edward Anderson; daughter-in-law, Shelli Anderson; partner, Peggy Skiber; and brother-in-law, Frank "Shottie" Dalrymple. He is survived by his daughter, Holly Anderson Weinzapfel (Andrew) and her children, Bonnie, Emily and Andrew; son, Maxwell George Anderson, Jr. and his son, Charlie; sister, Jane Carlson (Jim); sister-in-law, Midge Anderson; sister-in-law, Christie Dalrymple. Also surviving Max are Peggy's children, Steve Skiber (Sue) and Sally Helm (Frank); and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is being planned for later in 2026 in the Chicago-area.
Ziemer Funeral Home Central Chapel in Evansville, Indiana is handling his arrangements.