Max H Winningham

 Max Henry Winningham, 90, went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 24, 2024.  Max was born to Posey and Ina Winningham in Byrdstown, Tennessee on May 1, 1934.  In 1951, at the young age of 16, he left Tennessee alone and hitchhiked to Indiana seeking work to start a new life and help support his family back in Tennessee.  Quickly after reaching Indiana, he met the love of his life, Phyllis Ann Davis, and they married the same year.

Max was employed at Warner Gear in Muncie, IN for 37 years.  He retired in 1989 at the age of 55.  In 1962, he and Phyllis bought the farm where they raised their children and is still currently the family farm.  After retirement, Max and Phyllis worked on the farm raising cattle and running an apple orchard for years in Ridgeville.

Max enjoyed many things during his life and always took great pride in all of them.  He loved gardening, beekeeping, making the best apple cider in the fall, mowing his huge yard and driving his golf cart around the farm.  He absolutely loved being a member of the Ridgeville American Legion Post 507.  It was part of his daily routine to drive up to the legion to eat breakfast and lunch and of course to visit with many of his friends there.  While he was physically able, he also took great honor in representing the legion as part of the Honor Guard at military funerals for veterans.

Max was a loving father to five sons: Ronnie Winningham (April) of Muncie, Jeffrey Winningham (Elizabeth) of Winchester, Stan Winningham (Mindy) of Ridgeville, Max Winningham (Diane) of Ft. Wayne and Mark Winningham (Tammy) of Muncie.  Max also had two dear girls in his life: Carlotta Cooprider (Robert) of Indianapolis and Carla Durham (Trent) of Winchester.

Max was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Ronnie Winningham Jr., Kaitlyn Winningham (Tony), Grandon Winningham (Lauren) Ellie Lothamer (Alex) Mitchell Winningham (Kari), Miranda Winningham (Zach), Peyton Winningham, Josh Garrett (Rachael), and Craig Winningham (Kristen).  Five great grandchildren: Mylen, Essen, Eilla, Evryn, and Dani.

Max is survived by one sibling, Betty Sipe (Gene) of Montana.  He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: Lowell, Bill, Jack, and Larry, and his wife of 68 years, Phyllis Winningham.

A service to celebrate Max’s life will be at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Walker Funeral Home in Winchester, with Pastor Adam Sewell officiating.  Burial will follow at Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville.

Friends and family may call from 1-3 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Walker Funeral Home in Winchester is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerswinchester.

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