Max Chenoweth

Max Moody Chenoweth 86, of Portland, Indiana, passed away in the company of his wife and four children on July 30, 2024, at his home in Portland.

Max was born in Randolph County to Harvey and Eva (Moody) Chenoweth. The family moved to Jay County when he was 3 years old. Max graduated from Portland High School in 1955.

Max married his wife Shelba Louck on Feb. 14, 1960, (64 years) and she survives. They started a dairy business and farmed, which was Max's first love. One year later, he was drafted into the army and served from 1961 to 1963 where he was trained as a cook.

Max had several interesting jobs after the army, including farming, where he started Chenoweth Family Swine and working at Jay County Farm Bureau Co-Op, Pennville Farm Service, Jay Petroleum and Bavarian Motor Transport. His favorite job was driving a school bus for Jay School Corporation, including transporting the Jay County High School football and basketball teams.

Max was a member of American Legion Post 211 and served as an Honor Guard member. He was involved in Jay County 4-H for over 40 years, including the leader of Green Active Workers, swine superintendent for 20 years and the voice emceeing the Jay County 4-H swine show for many years. 

In 1985, Max and Shelba started the Michael A. Alig Memorial Scholarship in memory of Mike Alig and the scholarship has grown exponentially and provided scholarships to FFA youth to this day. In 2022, Max was given the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree and inducted into the Jay County Agriculture Hall of Fame. He was a trustee for the Mt. Zion Church in Noble Township and served on the Mount Zion Cemetery Board. Max enjoyed antique tractors, tinkering around in his garage and visiting the Jay County Fair and Indiana State Fair.

Max is survived by his sister, Vita Miller, Urbana, Indiana; brother-in-law Larry (Carol) Louck; and four children, Sabra (Jeff) Jackson, Fort Wayne, Dennis (Donna) Chenoweth, Kimbra (Eric) Reynolds and Gayle Davenport, all of Portland. He has 15 grandchildren and two bonus grandchildren. He has 20 great-grandchildren and seven bonus great-grandchildren, plus special nephew Zeb (Neesha) Anderson and special niece Molly (Evan) Twigg.

Max was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Vivian Chenoweth Sorenson and Nancy Chenoweth Thornton; brother-in-law Will (Vi) Miller; and sister-in-law Rhea Louck Wood.

Funeral services will be Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Darrell Borders presiding. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Military services will follow by American Legion Post #211.

Memorials may be directed to Jay County 4-H or the Jay County Cancer Society.