Duane L. “Max” Maxwell, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, March 11, 2022 at the Klein Center, West Burlington IA.
A memorial funeral service for Max will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend Doug Cue will officiate. A flag folding ceremony will be conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail at the church. Burial will be at a later date in the Forest Home Cemetery. Friends may call from 12 Noon-8PM on Monday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, IA. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM.
The memorial service will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church YouTube Channel. Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the First United Methodist Church, the Mt. Pleasant Public Library or S.A.F.E. of Tupelo, MS. Online condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.
Duane Lloyd “Max” Maxwell was born April 12, 1936 at home, rural Salem, IA. He was the son of Glenn W. and Gladys Belle (Doan) Maxwell. He attended Maple Grove Country School and graduated in 1954 from Mt Pleasant High School. He attended (then) Iowa Wesleyan College where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. On July 24, 1960 in Leesville, Louisiana, Max was united in marriage to Joan C. “Joni” Smith.
Duane was a veteran of the US Army. He was inducted on March 10, 1959 at Ft. Des Moines and honorably discharged on February 27, 1961 at Ft. Hood, TX as a Tech Sergeant.
Max began farming with his brother Ross. Later, he farmed with his son Tony. In 1968, Max and Ross formed Maxwell’s Market. Max remained a part of the market for 47 years. Max also farmed and operated Maxwell’s Market with his brother-in-law, Richard “Dick” Corell.
Max was a member of First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant. He worked many years in the church’s dining room at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, where he loved to converse with the many visitors. Max also served as Head Conductor for the Midwest Central Railroad. He played an integral part when the tracks of the railroad needed to be raised. For many years, Joni and he belonged to a dance group out of Ft. Madison.
Those thankful for sharing in Max’s life include his wife of 60 years, Joni of Mt. Pleasant; 3 children – Debra Wuichet and her husband, Jacques “J.W.” of Tupelo, MS, Tony Maxwell and his wife Kristi of Mt. Pleasant and Sean Maxwell of Belton, MO; a sister, JoAnn Corell of Mt. Pleasant; 5 grandchildren – Adam Woodyard, Ethan Woodyard, Ashley Lohmann, Allissa Alexander and Allison Scarff and 5 great grandchildren – Malia, Alina, Abel, Avalynn and Avery.
His parents, brother Ross Maxwell and 3 sisters, Lorene VanSyoc, Eva Heise and Beatrice Jones, precede Max in death.