September 27, 1937 - July 30, 2024

Max Moody Chenoweth 86, of Portland, Indiana passed away in the company of his wife and 4 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 1961-1963 where he was trained as a cook.

Max had several interesting jobs after the Army. Including farming, where he started Chenoweth

Family Swine, 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 the 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 was the voice emceeing the Jay County 4H 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, visiting the Jay County and Indiana state fairs.

Max is survived by his sister, Vita Miller, Urbana, Indiana, brother-in-law Larry (Carol) Louck, and 4 children. Sabra (Jeff) Jackson, Fort Wayne, Dennis (Donna) Chenoweth, Kimbra (Eric) Reynolds, and Gayle Davenport all of Portland. He has 15 grandchildren and 2 bonus grandchildren. He has 20 great grandchildren and 7 bonus great grandchildren, plus special nephew Zeb (Neesha) Anderson and special niece Molly (Evan) Twigg.

Max was proceeded 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 August 2, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Darrell Borders presiding.  Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 PM 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.