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Max Eldon Edwards left this earth to be with his Lord on Dec. 15, 2020, from Randolph Nursing Home, in Winchester. He was born Sept. 9, 1932, to Russel and Maude (Retter) Edwards. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Deloris Ann (“DeeAnn”) Utsler and Keturah Graft.
Max was a farm boy and enjoyed 4-H and showing Shorthorn cattle. He graduated from Lynn High School in 1950. He served in the Army during the Korean War.
In 1956 he married Dixie Anna (Brumfield) Edwards and they were farmers in Randolph County until God called Max into ministry. Max pastored Peaceful Valley church, and then felt called to missions. In January 1970 Max, Dixie and their 3 children, Jay, Jan and Jeff, sailed by ship to Brazil, South America to serve as missionaries with OMS (One Mission Society). After a year studying Portuguese they moved to interior Brazil, where a 4th child, Joe Russel, was born.
Max taught, pastored and worked hard establishing two youth camps in Brazil: Panorama Camp in the state of São Paulo and Camp Shalom in the state of Paraná. He directed many OMS “Men for Missions” work teams, who joined the efforts to build these camps. Hundreds of young people were touched by the Gospel through this ministry, and these camps continue to impact lives in Brazil. Max also pastored a church in the city of São Paulo: São Saverio. Known as “Tio Max” in Brazil, he was loved for his humble service and passion for Christ.
After almost 14 years they returned to the US and Max served with Men for Missions, to inspire others to “go, give and do” on the mission field. He led groups of laymen to many different countries both to work and to minister. He was a motivator. Countless individuals trace their involvement in God’s work around the world to an encounter with Max Edwards!
After retiring from OMS Max served as pastor in the Winchester Congregational Church, now known as East Street Church, for 6 years. After that he pastored Jericho Friends Church for 3 years. During this time he also served as a Randolph County Councilman for three years.
Max had a heart for people and served in any and every way he could. Even after he gave up the pastorate, he continued to minister in nursing homes. He was active in this ministry until losing his fight with Alzheimer’s.
He is survived by his wife, Dixie, and two sisters, Nina Rittenhouse and Janice Smith, and many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his children Jay & Kirsten, (Brazil), Rod and Jan (Edwards) Dormer, Jeff and Laura, Joe and Sharon (TX). He is survived by his grandchildren Jason (Andrea) Edwards, Aaron (Lorena) Edwards, Cristiana Verissimo (Joseph), Danna (Dormer) Matsuki (Shogo), Jenna (Dormer) Strahm (Brendan), Katie (Edwards) Cesar (Thiago), Kendra (Edwards) Thomas (Mark), Anna (Edwards) Eismont (Ethan), Nate Edwards, Sophia Edwards and Joelle Edwards. Max and Dixie are also blessed with 14 great grandchildren. His family seeks to follow his example of bold and unwavering obedience to God and service to others.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to One Mission Society, Voice of the Martyrs, or Open Doors. Visitation will be held in their home church, East Street Church, 128 N East St, Winchester, IN 47394, on Friday December 18, 2020 from 4-7 p.m. The funeral will take place on Saturday December 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., at the church. Due to Covid restrictions, the funeral will be attended by immediate family only, but will be live-streamed at: www.eaststreet.church
Walker Funeral Home in Winchester is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerswinchester.com.
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Condolence Booklet
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Jane Rogers for the Agape' Class
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Posted Tue December 15, 2020
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Pastor Max has always held a special place in our hearts, and we have many warm memories. The Agape' Sunday School class has made a donation to the Voice of the Martyrs on his behalf.
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Edison Rosa
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Posted Wed December 16, 2020
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Laura, Jeff e família, meus pêsames pela morte do Tio Max. O que dizer nesta hora? O que me vem à mente é isto: mais um guerreiro voltou pra casa. Aleluia! Abraço apertado a todos. Cuidem da Tia Dixie. Ela é quem acordará de manhã e olhará para o lado vazio da cama.
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Dilma Higa Yahiro
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Posted Wed December 16, 2020
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Queridos Jeffry, Laura e familiares. Somos muito gratos pela vida de seu pai e todo legado. Muito lindo ouvir o testemunho postado no podcast. Admiro essa família consagrada ao serviço de Deus. Para nós da igreja Holiness, fomos muito abençoados através dos acampamentos construídos. Muitos jovens e crianças se converteram e se consagraram e até hoje tem sido de grande bênção. Deus console seus corações. Com amor Shinze e Dilma Yahiro.
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Guto Umeki
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Posted Wed December 16, 2020
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Sou fruto do trabalho da família Edward no Acampamento Panorama, SP, Brasil. Saudades do Tio Max, Tia Dixie dos tempos da minha infância. Atualmente sou pastor da Igreja Evangélica Holiness de Pompéia. Deixarei uma foto recente do balanço na árvore central. Nossas condolências a toda família
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Rebecca Nordyke
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Posted Wed December 16, 2020
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Our hearts break over losing such a precious man of God from our lives, but we also rejoice knowing that he is now dwelling in the very presence of his Lord and Savior. We can only imagine the joy he must be experiencing!!!
Max and Dixie have always held a very special place in our hearts and after my parents died, they stepped up to be "surrogate grandparents" to our children and attended Grandparent's Day events for them. They have been God's hands and feet to many!
"In the light of eternity"...Max's life made a difference!!!! He served his Savior well and we will miss him.
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Lori Reed
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Posted Wed December 16, 2020
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Condolences to entire family. May it bring you peace that he is in God’s loving arms.
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Jerry Pitman
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Posted Wed December 16, 2020
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Barb and I always enjoyed hearing Max preach, and watching him and Dixie interact with the children. Max and Dixie made a great team doing God’s work. Max will be missed as a pastor and great individual.
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Luiz Takeshi Hashimoto
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Posted Thu December 17, 2020
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Querida família Edwards.
Deixamos o nosso grande abraço nesse momento difícil de perda.
Louvo a Deus pela vida preciosa do tio Max e de todos vocês.
O legado deixado e a influência a muitos jovens, adolescentes e crianças brilha
ainda nos dias de hoje.
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Laura M (Boxell) Neargarder
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Posted Fri December 18, 2020
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Many members of Max and Dixie's family have blessed my life over the years. Praise God for Godly parents.
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Curt & Anita Austin
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Posted Fri December 18, 2020
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Our prayers are with your entire family during this time of loss. We pray that your will know God's abiding love and peace.
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Mimi Pate
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Posted Fri December 18, 2020
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“Well done thou good and faithful servant!” Uncle Max helped me to grow in my walk with the Lord by his words, his actions, and his love. He will live forever in the lives of all he touched and we WILL be together again one day! “Absent from the body and present with the Lord”... I love you.
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Darrell and Lynn Mishler
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Posted Sat December 19, 2020
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I have waited to write this because I don't know where to start. Tio Max (and Dixie) have had such impact on the lives of our family. Truly an older brother to Lynn and me. Truly a wise, loving uncle to our 2 daughters, Emily and Sara.
Language school in Campinas Brasil...Tio Max coming to our door on various occasions at 4:00 am or so, stopping as the train to or from Camp Panorama brought through our town. I LOVED his visits. I loved to dream with him about the ministries so meaningful in his life, and how my family might fit in.
Camp Shalom in Londrina. One day, "out of the blue" Max took Lynn and me out to an empty field on a hillside with a creek running at the bottom of the hill. "See that...THAT is Camp Shalom. The boys rooms are over on the left, the girls rooms down the hill on the right. Right here, we are standing in the cafeteria. Look over there to the right, there's the chapel. And someday...right over there is the house where the Camp director will live. Who knows, maybe your family will live there one day!" We did! Max could see it clearly while we saw a grass field blowing in the wind.
I could go on and on...right along with the thousands whose lives have been challenged, prayed for, invited and loved by this couple. Dixie...God bless you in special ways during these days of mixed emotions. May you and each of your loved ones rejoice together... tell many great stories, cry and mourn your loss...but only for a season. For, as you know, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Hallelujah!
Lynn and I...and our girls...love you all.
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Bruce and Mabel Callender
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Posted Sun December 27, 2020
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It is with very sad hearts that we heard the news of Max's home call. When Mabel and I went to Mozambique in 1996, Max and Dixie came with a team to pray for us and the new OMS work there. It has been very touching to see how God answered those prayers and has blessed the OMS work. We appreciated Max and Dixie's language abilities and most of all their positive attitudes. They were a great encouragement as we got into the work and we will not forget that. We know there is sorrow in our hearts as well as in your heart, Dixie, but we do not grieve as those with no hope because we know we will meet again.
You are in our prayers, Dixie, and we pray for much blessing in your life.
Blessings on you, Bruce and Mabel Callender
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Cheryl Thomas
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Posted Sun January 03, 2021
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It is with great sadness, yet great joy in hearing about the loss of Max Edwards. Jesus has taken away all of his pain and suffering, and continues to guide us through ours on this earth. He will now be forever with the Lord and in our hearts. I told Nina that I could see Kenny playing a golden baby grand piano for Max upon his entry - what a day of rejoicing that will be! Kenny and I so enjoyed the last visit that we had with him and Dixie. What a joyous reunion we will all have some day! Love, Cheryl Thomas
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