Max Milburn Matthews

Max Milburn Matthews, son of George Veltha Matthews and Faye Alice Wilkey was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois on July 28, 1928. Max died at home, surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Max grew up in Mount Vernon, graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. During the summers, Max would attend Bruch Creek, a Community of Christ family campground in Xenia, Illinois. This is where he met and began dating Daisy Loretta Surridge of Taylorville, Illinois. After graduating high school, Max attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, playing basketball and dating, amongst others, Marilyn Russell of Maine. Marilyn two timed him; that ended that relationship. Graduating with an associate degree in business administration from Graceland, Max transferred to the University of Kansas to begin working on his Bachelor of Science in Business Admin. A year or so later, Daisy came back to his life. They got married and moved to Champaign, Illinois where Max finished his bachelor's degree and subsequently began working at the University of Illinois as a Purchasing Agent. During this time, Max and Daisy gave birth to Lynn and Scott. Max was a devoted family man, helping with both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. In 1975, he and Daisy moved to McAllen, Texas to become inn keepers, having purchased Windsor Motel from his parents who had owned it since 1948. Max and Daisy had a wonderful life together, traveling around Mexico and visiting their children. Daisy died of Lymphoma in 1984. Shortly after her death, Max auctioned off Windsor Motel and developed Windsor Auto Plaza, which still stands on Business 83 and Ash. In 1985, Max rekindled his relationship with Marilyn and subsequently they married, sharing travels and visits to both their children. Until she passed of cancer in 2017. Throughout his life, Max was very dedicated to the Community of Christ Church, serving in various leadership positions, including Presiding Elder, District President, and Evangelist. Max was preceded in death by both his parents; his first wife, Daisy Matthews and 2nd wife, Marilyn Matthews. He is survived by his third wife, Kathy Ellithorpe Matthews; his daughter Lynn of Kansas City, MO, his son Scott (Joanna) of Mission, TX, Joanna’s daughter, Ashley Wren (Chris) of Westminster, Colorado. Grandsons, Aaron Matthews of McAllen, TX, Austin Matthews (Sarah), great grandson, Aidon of Tomball, TX, and Dylan Matthews (Laura), great granddaughter, Claire of Round Rock, TX. Stepson, Russell (Sharon) Houston, TX; Stepdaughter Kris Ann (Terry) Lancaster, WI; Stepson, Scott (Sheila) Ft. Worth, TX; Stepson, Greg (Trish) Tatum, TX. And stepdaughter, Ann Basta of Lakeville, MN, Marie Ellithorpe of Missouri Valley, IA, Charlie Ellithorpe of Denver, IA. Max has numerous other step grandchildren and great step grandchildren. Max is also survived by a cousin, Dora Ann Stuck of Oakridge, TX. In addition, Max is survived by many additional family members and friends. A memorial service will be held at Kreidler’s Funeral Home on Friday, September 1st from 5 to 7 pm. The Graveside Service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery on Saturday morning at 10 am. Max’s wishes were that in lieu of flowers, any memorials be given to the Alzheimer’s Research Association: https://donate.brightfocus.org/. Max’s family would like to thank: Amedisys Hospice for their excellent care and all the caregivers who participated in making Max’s last years of life comfortable.

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Max Milburn Matthews

August 23, 2023