Max R. Schaeffer

Max R. Schaeffer

LIBERTY, Ind. - Max R. Schaeffer, 71, of Liberty, died Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Reid Hospital, Richmond.

Max was born Nov. 11, 1939, in Richmond, the only child of Raymond Robert and Freda Faye Burt Schaeffer, both of whom preceded him in death.

In 1957, he graduated from Short High School and then entered the U.S. Navy. He attained the rank of Seaman First Class and served aboard the U.S.S. Chilton with ports of call that included Africa. On Jan. 7, 1961, he was married to the former Carolyn A. Carnes at the First Presbyterian Church in Liberty. Max had been employed at Smith Dairy and its predecessor, Wayne Dairy, beginning in 1961 with what was intended to be a temporary job that lasted 41 years until his retirement in 2002. He was a faithful member of the Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church and served on the church's finance committee. Max was an avid golfer and sports fan. He was a member of the Liberty Country Club and supported the Cincinnati Reds and Indianapolis Colts. Max especially enjoyed visiting his children and grandchildren.

Max is survived by his wife of 50 years; two children and their spouses, Darin R. Schaeffer and Lisa M. of Granger, Kathie A. Kontowsky and Irvin J. of Elkhart; his grandchildren, Blake and Lydia Schaeffer, Garrett and Lance Kontowsky; a nephew, Jim Faber of Brownsville; and two nieces, Cheryl Vickers of Liberty and Becky Lucas of Anderson.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Scott Bell officiating. Interment will follow in West Point Cemetery. Friends may visit at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Fosdick Chapel, from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Edwards Memorial United Methodist Church. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.