Max Tooley Irwin

Max Tooley Irwin, 88, Columbus, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2011, at 8:05 a.m. at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility. Born in Scipio on January 17, 1923, Max was son of Ray Beesley Irwin and Vera C. Tooley Irwin, who preceded him in death.

Max was graduated in 1940 from Scipio High School. From 1943 to 1946, he served in the 9th Army Air Force, 70th Air Service Squadron, serving in campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He received numerous decorations and citations during his service for his country during World War II.

His career was focused in tool/engineering design and application. He worked at Noblitt-Sparks (Arvin), later serving in a Civil Service role as a precision inspector for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—Locks and Dams, on the Ohio River.

After 38 years of employment with Hamilton Cosco, he retired in 1984 as Manager, Manufacturing and Engineering. He received numerous patents during his tenure with Cosco for his development of various applications and processes.

Max was a lifetime member of Bear Creek Baptist Church just outside Scipio where he served as moderator and as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. More recently, he enjoyed worshipping with his friends at Westside Community Church in Columbus.

Among his many activities, he served on the Clay Township Advisory Board, was President of the Petersville Elementary School P.T.A., and past Chairman of Chapter No. 174 of the American Society of Tool & Manufacturing Engineers.

He was a member of Hope Lodge No. 395 F&AM, Murat Temple-Indianapolis, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite N.M.J, Bartholomew County Shrine Club, Elks Lodge No. 521, American Legion No. 24, and Senior Center Club of Columbus.

His other passions included fishing, golfing and woodworking. He never could resist the opportunity to re-engineer a process or a gadget around his-or someone else’s-home.

Max was a kind, sincere, and devoted family man. He will be missed by his loving family and many friends. His new sweetheart, 18-month-old great-granddaughter Kalee Nichole Bower, will miss being cradled in his loving arms. He was looking forward to the June birth of his second great-granddaughter, Remi June Von Weimer.

Preceding him in death in 1995 was his first wife of 53 years, Sallie Long Irwin; and, in 2008, his second wife, Virginia Flohr Irwin. His parents, a brother, William Irwin, and a sister, Betty O’Neal, also preceded him in death.

Max is survived by his son, Max Irwin Jr. and his wife Pam, of Tempe Arizona; his daughter, Sandra Irwin Bower of Lido Beach, Florida; and stepchildren, Rick Flohr and his wife Debra Flohr of Seymour, Jeri Day and her husband Tom Day of Nashville, Sara Bradley and her husband Gary Bradley of Columbus and Faye Bailey and her husband Jim Bailey of Glasgow, Kentucky. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Irwin, and his wife Norma Lou Irwin of Columbus.

Grandchildren include Carrie (Kevin) Lawrence, Chad (Tonya) Bower and Jacqui Irwin. Stepgrandchildren include Rebekah (Patrick) Reuter, Emily (Jason) Brooks, Christopher (Sherry) Billman, David Billman, Jennifer (Maury) Gonzales, Valerie (Mathew) Houpey, Darrick (Genevieve) Day, Beth Ann (Kenny) Lewis, Janie (Dan) Lucas, Lucas and Larry (Nikki) Calhoun, Jr. He is also survived by a niece and numerous nephews.

Viewing will be from 3 to 7:30 p.m. today at Myers-Reed Chapel on 25th Street with a Masonic memorial service conducted at 7:30 p.m. by Hope Masonic Lodge. Pastor Dennis Aud will officiate services at Bear Creek Baptist Church Thursday, May 5, at 11 a.m., with calling one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with honors by the Bartholomew County Veterans Color Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana, Bear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or Westside Community Church Building Fund, 4286 Jonathan Moore Pike, Columbus.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-reed.com.