Max Martin Lewis

Max Martin Lewis MARION-Max Martin Lewis, 85, of Marion passed away at 2:05 PM, Thursday, October 5, 2006 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 8, 2006 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Bill Rucker officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Saturday, October 7, 2006 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort. Military rites will be held at the cemetery by Marion VFW Post 1301 and American Legion Post 147. Mr. Lewis was born on October 19, 1920 in Rend City, Illinois to Louie E. and Flora Agnes (Overturf) Lewis. He was the great great grandson of James and Angeline (Beasley) Lewis, Robert M. and Sarah (Williams) Galloway, John W. and Jane (Rea) Overturf, and John A. and Nancy (Tucker) Crawford, all were pioneer settlers of Franklin County. He married Darlene Florence Martin; together they shared 65 years of marriage. After graduating from Christopher Community High School, he attended Southern Illinois University and played football for Coach William McAndrew. As a member of the Chi Delta Chi Fraternity, he was selected as president his junior year. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Mr. Lewis was a decorated veteran of World War II; he served with the United States Marine Corp as an officer. He was deployed for duty aboard the USS Stokes, which was engaged in battles in the South Pacific, including Iwo Jima. After the war he was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Marine Corps Reserve. He began his career in the newspaper business, which spanned over four decades, with the Christopher Progress owned by the Lewis family. As General Manager of the Glendive Daily Ranger in Montana, he converted it from a weekly to a daily newspaper. His last 24 years before retirement were with the State Journal-Register in Springfield, where he served two terms as president of the Central Illinois Typographical Union. In retirement he wrote extensively about family history as well as the major production changes that occurred in the newspaper industry during his lifetime. He was an active member of the First Christian Church and served as a deacon for many years. He is survived by his wife, Darlene; daughter, Susan Lewis of West Frankfort; and brother, Louie Lewis, Jr. of Bloomington. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Gene Lewis; and three sisters, Geneva Bacon, Bertha Troutt and Betty McNeill.