Max Schmeling

Max J. Schmeling died peacefully Friday, April 6, 2007 at his home in Johnston surrounded by his loving family. He was born to John and Hattie Schmeling on March 25, 1918 in Casey, Iowa.
Funeral services will be Wednesday 10:30 am April 11, 2007 at St. James Lutheran Church 5665 Merle Hay Road, Johnston where he was a member. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 to 8:00 pm with family present from 6:00-8:00pm at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens. Burial will be 2:00pm at North Lawn Cemetery in Ft. Dodge, IA.
Max enlisted in the USMC in 1941 serving six years and attained the rank of S/Sgt. He was very proud of his Marine Corps achievements and surviving the bombing of Pearl Harbor aboard the USS St. Louis which was the first Naval cruiser underway in the Harbor.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps he joined the Iowa Highway Patrol and served 28 years, and retired as District Commander of Post 7 in Ft. Dodge in 1976.
Max is survived by his loving wife, Grace of 21 years. His daughter Andrea Winters and his son Robert (Bev) Schmeling. He leaves two brothers; Arnold (Winnie) and Kenneth (Betty) all of Casey and one sister Verna Fett and five grandchildren. He also leaves four step children; Joanne Harmsen, Connie (Bob) Osborne, Bill (Jody) Duke and Sharon Hibbs and eight step grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis, the mother of Andrea and Robert. Several brothers; Arthur, Clarence “Nick”, Gilbert, Robert, and Johnie Schmeling. Two sisters;Emma Laubscher and Irma Weber.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Church.

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