Max E. Hughes, 85, Neosho, died Monday, May 23, 2011, at Springhill Assisted Living, following a short illness.
Max was born Oct. 12, 1925, in Lamar and was a lifelong area resident. He graduated from Neosho High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II, 1943-1946. Following his return from the service, he joined his father in the family business, Hughes Brothers Motors and retired in 2005. He had a terrific sense of humor, loved to write poetry and was an avid golfer. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon more than 50 years and was a Sunday school teacher.
Max married Catherine ‘Kay’ Fera on July 12, 1946 at Neosho and she preceded him in death in March 2006.
He is survived by three children, Charlie Hughes and wife, Patty, Neosho, Phyllis Lauber and husband, Alan, Siloam Springs, Ark., and Robert Hughes and wife, Debbie, Neosho; 11 grandchildren, Brent Lauber, Travis Hughes, Josh Hughes, Jake Hughes, Eric Hughes, Ryan Hughes, Trevor Hughes, Missi Conrad, Marisa Scott, Jeremy Phillips and Ryan Phillips; 16 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jimmy Hughes and wife, Donna, Neosho; and a sister in law, Barbara Hughes, Neosho.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Benjamin Hughes.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. Dr. Jerry Seigel will officiate. Interment will be in the Neosho IOOF Cemetery and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Crouch and Gene Haddock, special friends of Max, and Jeremy and Ryan Phillips. Full military honors will be presented at the graveside service. Friends may call at the Clark Funeral Home, Neosho from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, and the family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Max may be made to the Springhill Assisted Living resident’s fund, c/o Clark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 66, Neosho, 64850.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho.
Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.
