Obituary for
Max Richard Mingee
Max R. Mingee passed away on June 25th, 2016 at the I.U. Health Hospice House. He was born in Bloomington, Indiana on June 24th, 1940 to Woodrow and Maxine Mingee.
Max worked in many areas of automobile sales and service. He was the owner of Mingee Marathon at 3rd and Jordan, (later at 3rd and College Mall Rd.) and of Max Mingee Chrysler/Plymouth. He worked as Body Shop Manager for Tom O’Daniel Ford. He retired from Zore’s Auto Parts in Speedway, IN. Max was a life member of Elks Lodge #446, Fraternal Order of Eagles #1085, and American Legion Post #18. He was active in the community having served on the executive board of the Optimist Club, was a member of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and volunteered for the American Cancer Society. He was instrumental in procuring the first bus for the Boys and Girls Club when the program was begun. Max was renowned for his knowledge and interest in the history of Bloomington and Monroe County.
He was a loyal friend to many people and was always available to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a great story teller and could always come up with a joke to make people laugh. From a young age he was independent, building his own bicycle from used parts, gardening at Hilltop, and having a paper route near downtown at age seven. He belonged to AOPA and enjoyed piloting small aircraft with his good friends Newt Chitwood and Peter Hyatt.
Max is survived by his wife of 44 years, Shirley, with whom he enjoyed many trips with Ambassadair Travel Club; his son, Kevin Burkett; brother, Bill (Joyce) Mingee; sisters, Patricia (Dan) Larimer and Beth (Mark) Moore; aunt, Mary Stapleton; three nieces, Cheryl Mingee, Rhonda (John) Houghtelin, and Jessica (Dustin) Cebula; nephew Kevin Mingee; two great-nieces, Carri (Jonny) Merkle, and Megan Sipes; his mother-in-law, Dorothy West; and brother-in-law, Larry West.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael; sister, Rita; and his first wife, Janet (Brown) Mingee.
As to his wishes there will be no visitation and a private family inurnment will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington.
A celebration of life will be 2-5pm Saturday, July 30, 2016 at Bloomington Elks Lodge #446.
Memorial contributions in Max’s memory may be made to the I.U. Health Hospice House c/o Bloomington Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1149, Bloomington, IN 47402
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