| This long obituary is taken from the collection in the Notebook of Long Obituaries. The original newspaper article can be found in the Blair Library, Genealogy Room.
3 newspaper articles
# 1 - - Published in Pilot-Tribune, April 21, 2009
(picture & caption ) COUNTY LOSES ITS ‘MR. VETERAN’ Gene and Cork Jacobs of Omaha enter Trinity Lutheran Church in Bklair on Monday morning through a procession of flags provided by the Patriot Guard Riders for the funeral of Max West, 82, who died last Thursday. The riders, all veterans themselves, also provided a motorcycle escort for the funeral procession following West’s funeral. West had been active in many veterans organizations and had worked for many years on behalf of veterans.
By Melissa Rice, Assistant Editor
…..”But we’ll hear his tales no longer, for old (Max) has passed away. And the world’s a little poorer, for a soldier died today.” - - from “Just A Common Soldier (A Soldier Died Today)” by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
If there’s one thing that Max West wasn’t, it was “common.”
Friends agree on one thing: Max was special.
Max L. West, 82, died Thursday, April 16. Funeral services were Monday, April 19, at Trinity Lutheran Church.
West is perhaps best known for his involvement with area veterans, stumping tirelessly to help raise money and awareness for the Heartland Airborne Memorial, installed in 2007 in Omaha, as well as the Washington County Veterans Tribute Plaza in Blair.
“I’m just in shock,” said Charlie Buller of Omaha. Buller, president of the Heartland Airborne Association and president of the National Airborne Division Association, worked with West on establishment of the Airborne Memorial.
“When (Max) found out we were building a memorial, he jumped in with both feet and promoted it statewide,” Buller said. “Everything he did was for the benefit of the veterans.”
“All the guys in the Heartland Chapter think the world of Max,” Buller added. “We all think the same thing: he was just a good man. He was one of a kind.”
“If ever a person should be called ‘Mr. Veteran,’ it would be my friend, Max West,” said Washington County Veterans Services Office Gayle Maine. Maine praised West for his devotion to veterans, noting that West always had time for a veteran’s funeral, a veterans’ program, or a veterans’ meeting.
Maine also noted West’s service to his country - - a total of 27 years isn the Army, with more than 12 years spent overseas. West, a paratrooper, served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
Deborah Wehrli of Blair considered Max and his late wife, Lila, not only close friends, but “adoptive parents.”
“He was like a father to me,” said Wehrli.
Wehrli worked closely with West in local veterans organizations, particularly the AmVets. West, she said, served as local commander of the AmVets from 1999 through 2003; served as the Nebraska state commander from 2001 through 2002; and was state commander of the VFW from 1994 through 1995.
“I can’t begin to fathom all this man had done,” Wehrli said. She said West was known all over the United States for his work on veterans committees.
“He had three tours of Vietnam, served in the Korean War and World War II,” Wehrli said. “He confided to me one day that he had been a prisoner of war in Vietnam.”
According to West’s family, he had been wounded in all three conflicts.
“He was proud of his Airborne wings, but was humble about his service,” Wehrli said. “To tell of his 27 years of service…. That was his own private life. There are stories now that no one will ever know.”
While many of his peers were slowing down, West found time to continue giving back to his community.
WEST: A PRIME EXAMPLE OF ‘GREATEST GENERATION’
(picture and caption:) Tom Osborne, founder of TeamMates, presented Max West with the organization’s Mentor of the Year award for 2007.
Harriet Waite, director of the Blair Area Chamber of Commerce, got to know and work with West through his affiliation with the Optimists and TeamMates.
“My favorite memory of Max will always be his gruff sounding voice….but his heart of a teddy bear,” said Waite. “He was always excited for the veterans to have their special place in the Gateway to the West Parade. (He) was truly an example of someone who gave back to his country in so many ways.”
“The Optimist Club suffered a great loss with the passing of Max,” said president Mikki Mullally. “There was never an Optimist event or meeting that Max missed. He thoroughly enjoyed helping the children of our community in any way he could.”
West also found a “calling” in working with young people.
Ann Hackerott, coordinator for the Blair TeamMates program, said West got involved in 2005, and worked with two area youngsters.
“Max was the most dedicated individual I have ever met, dedicated to the task we all share to make this world a better place for others,” said Hackerott.
West served as a role model not only for students, but also for his TeamMates peers. He was recognized for his work with an award as TeamMates Mentor of the Year for 2006-2007. It was presented by Tom Osborne, founder of TeamMates. West achieved the highest distinction for a mentor from the Metro-Omaha Region, including the hundreds of TeamMates mentors in Omaha, Lincoln and surrounding communities.
“Max was a prime example of ‘the greatest generation’ and therefore he had a lot to teach everyone,” said Hackerott. “He taught by example. He was dedicated to the mission of TeamMates, from the red TeamMates cap he had specially made, to the tip of his cane that came tapping into the Otte Middle School hallways once a week. Everyone there loved him, from the students to the staff. He took time to speak to everyone and to encourage them.”
“What a privilege to have spent time with a real American who continued to educate us all in the importance of the sacrifices of our military personnel, past, present, and future, to guard our precious freedom in the United States of America,” said TeamMates mentor Pam Realph of Blair.
TeamMates mentor Nate Dougherty agreed.
“He had so much energy and just a light in his eyes when he told me about what it was like to be a mentor,” said Dougherty.
It was later that he found out about West’s extraordinary service to his country.
“I was just in awe of this true American hero,” said Dougherty.
Hackerott said West’s “matches” were with two young men who shared an intense interest in military history. Both parents and the mentees had nothing but praise for their friend.
“The first time I met Max he was more than I expected,” said former mentee Caleb Coon. “I expected some guy who didn’t know what to do with kids at all. But Max knew the situations that kids get into, and he always knew simple but effective ways of how to get out of (situations) without going against parents’ expectations.”
Coon said West’s goal was “always to make the future better for our kids today who will run our society tomorrow.”
“I will always remember how Max believed in me when others didn’t. He always said I could do whatever I put my mind to and not to let others tell me anything different.”
Coon said it was difficult to tell West he would be leaving the Blair schools to enter a college prep school.
“I knew that I would miss a very dear friend. Max, being true to his word, never abandoned me. We remained very close even though I was no longer his mentee. Max was someone who was the will always be a very special person who always had faith in me. I will miss him very much.”
West was most currently working with Ricky Randall of Blair. Randall’s mother, Denell, also considered West a friend.
“He was absolutely awesome to my son,” said Denell. West, she added, helped fill a void in her son’s life due to his grandparents living so far away.
“Max encouraged Ricky’s interest in the military but also taught him how serious war is and encouraged him to go to college and get an education,” said Denell. “It is so amazing how much he changed my son’s life.”
“He could always touch everyone’s heart in a very special way,” Ricky said.
Ricky said it hurts to talk about his friend because West had talked to him about helping him with schoolwork and going outdoors to play games.
“Now we won’t have the chance to,” Ricky said.
West’s youngest friends summed it up best when describing what made him special.
“All I know is that they don’t make people like Max anymore,” said Ricky Randall. “I will never forget Max and I will always love him, he was my very best friend.”
# 2 - - also from Pilot-Tribune, April 21, 2009
MAX L. WEST, 82
(Picture) (veteran)
Max L. West, 82, of Blair, died Thursday, April 16, 2009, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair.
Funeral services were Monday, April 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair. Interment was at the Swaburg Cemetery.
Max Lewis West was born June 10, 1926, in Lincoln. He was the son of Guy E. and Mae (Schall) West.
After attending school, he joined the United States Army, serving or a total of 27 years. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and attained the rank of Sgt. Major.
In October of 1970, he married Lila (Forsberg) House in Omaha.
After serving in the military, Mr. West worked in the construction industry and for Diers in Fremont. He also wrote a monthly column, “Veterans corner,” for the Washington County Pilot-Tribune newspaper.
He was a past Nebraska VFW commander; member of the AmVets and past state commander; was past president of the Blair Optimists Club; was a TeamMate mentor; and was vice president of Trinity Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his stepchildren, Terry and Connie House of Fremont, and Donna and Richard Hoffer of Virginia Beach, VA; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lila, and a sister, Mable.
Memorials are suggested to the Airborne Memorial Monument maintenance fund at Heartland Park in Omaha.
Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
# 3 - - Omaha World-Herald, April 24, 2009
ARMY VETERAN MAX WEST SERVED IN THREE WARS by Sue Story Truax, World-Herald Staff Writer
Max West of Blair, Neb., lived a dedicated life of service to country and others.
“Patriotism and kids were important to Max,” said his stepson, Terry House of Fremont, Neb.
West served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War and was wounded and decorated in all three.
Max L. West was 82 when he died April 16 at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair. West died of pneumonia, House said.
West’s Army career lasted 27 years. He was a past Nebraska commander of the VFW and the AmVets. West raised fund for the Heartland Airborne Memorial in Omaha and the Washington County Veterans Tribute Plaza in Blair.
He was TeamMates Mentor of the Year for 2006-2007. And he volunteered with the Blair Optimist Club and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair.
West also was known for his Christmas exploits.
“He made a good Santa Claus,” House said. He played Santa at businesses and made Christmas Eve house calls.
West had a steady stream of visitors in the hospital, House said, yet complained of being lonely. He missed his wife, Lila, who died in December.
Other survivors include stepdaughter Donna Hoffer of Virginia Beach, VA; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday at Trinity Lutheran.
Omaha World-Herald obituary page, April 18, 2009
WEST, MAX L., Age 82, Blair, NE. Survivied by step children Terry and Connie House of Fremont and Donna and Richard Hoffer of Virginia Beach, VA; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
SERVICES 11 am Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE. Burial in Sawbur, NE Cemetery. VISITATION will begin at 12 noon Sunday with family receiving friends from 6-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Airborne Memorial Monument Maintenance Fund.
CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME, Blair, NE 402-426-2191
#4 Funeral Leaflet
In Loving Memory of Max L. West
June 10, 1926 Lincoln, Nebraska ~ April 16, 2009 Blair, Nebraska
Funeral Services 11:00 A.M. Monday, April 20, 2009 Trinity Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Rev. John Emslie. Music provided by: Collen Warren. Soloist: Scott Wachter. Musical Selections: “How Great Thou Art”, “In The Garden”
Casket Bearers: Ron Hild, John Iossi, John Liedsack, Jerry Ludwick, Dan Peterson, Gary Steckelberg
Graveside Services: Swaburg Cemetery, Uehling, Nebraska
~~~ Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska~~~
FindaGrave #: 35998072
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