Max R. Secrist

Max R. Secrist, 93, of rural Columbia City, Indiana, died at 9:00 am, Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at his home. He was born August 20, 1921 in Urbana, Indiana to Adam and Florence Edna (Huffer) Secrist.

Max was a 1940 graduate of Atwood High School. He married Virginia Kreger in Warsaw on February 22, 1942; she died July 11, 2007. He was a WWII US Army veteran. Max retired from Conrail on February 22, 1982, after 40 years, where he was a conductor and a brakeman. He enjoyed square dancing and was a caller. Max was an avid carver, oil painter, and enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge. He also built 5 homes in his lifetime. After retirement, he was an active participant and past President of the Whitley County Council on Aging and Aged, Inc.

He is survived by 2 children, Dr. Randy (Dr. Paula Gizzie-Secrist) Secrist of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Susan (Roger Weist) Getsie Wygant of Fort Wayne, Indiana; 3 grandchildren, Heather (Jason) Burton and Andrea (Matthew) Stieglitz, both of Fort Wayne, and Ryan Secrist of Raleigh; 2 great grandchildren, Josie and Jacob Burton, both of Fort Wayne. He was also preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, and 1 sister.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday, October 4, 2014 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, with Pastor Larry Schmoekel officiating. Burial will be in Nolt Cemetery, Columbia City. Friends may call 4-8 pm Friday October 3, and 1 hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, 207 W. Main Street, North Manchester, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Whitley County Council on Aging and Aged, Inc.