Max Richards

Max E. Richards, 90, of Bellaire, passed away on September 25, 2014 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility. Max was born on March 27, 1924, in Bellaire, the son of Earl and Edith (Carney) Richards. Max was raised in Bellaire where he graduated from Bellaire High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II then attended Michigan State University where he earned his BA. He was in management for Sentry Life Insurance Company for 33 years before retiring in 1984. While working he held memberships in the CPCU (Chartered Casualty and Property Underwriter) and the AMS (Administrative Management Society). Other organizations he was active in included, Free and Accepted Masons, American Legion Post #247, Bellaire Lions Club (Charter member), United Cerebral Palsy Association, Grand Traverse Industries as well as the Bellaire Community United Methodist Church. Upon retirement in 1984, he and Helen moved to Lake Bellaire. He was an avid sports fan, especially loving the MSU Spartans. He was devoted to family, a loving husband, father and grandfather. Always supportive to his daughters and granddaughters, he cherished family time, time at the lake, campfires and loved to travel as well as be the "travel planner". He is survived by his wife Helen (Schoof) Richards of 67 years, 3 daughters, Bonnie Richards of Bellaire, Beverly Richards of Bellaire, Patti Richards Ide of Lansing, 2 granddaughters, Carli Ide and Tori Ide, sister-in-law Jean Schoof, nieces and nephews, Martha (Stan) Kupka, Barbara (Mark) Kwasny, Robert (Meri) Schoof, JoAnn Schoof, and Mark (Diane) Schoof. He was preceded in death by his parents Earl Richards and Edith Richards (Moore). Services will take place on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bellaire Community United Methodist Church. Military honors will follow at the church. Visitation will take place on Monday, September 29, from 5-7 p.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes with a Masonic Memorial service beginning at 7 p.m. Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery, Bellaire. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bellaire Community United Methodist Church or to the Antrim County Commission on Aging. Arrangements are being handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.