BROWNSTOWN
Dr. Max Harold Middendorf, age 82, of Brownstown, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Hoosier Christian Village, surrounded by his loving family.
Dr. Middendorf was baptized in May of 1941.and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jonesville. He was a current member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Brownstown, for more than 30 years, where he served as Chairman of the church and served on the Lutheran Central School Board. He loved attending church.
He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School at Jonesville, and he graduated from Columbus Senior High School in 1958. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Indiana University, a Master of Science degree from Indiana State University, and graduated as a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Indiana University, Indianapolis.
Max served as a pilot in the Indiana Air Guard, Hulman Field, for 12 years before serving as a dentist in the Air Force for several years and retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Max was very fond of telling people he served in the Air Force for 28 years, 11 months, and 11 days.
Dr. Middendorf was employed as a science teacher at North Central High School, Indianapolis, from 1965 to 1966. He then worked as a chemist at Amoco Chemicals in Seymour from 1967 to 1971, and he later worked at Great Lakes Chemical in Lafayette, before starting his own dentistry practice. He practiced dentistry in Brownstown from 1976 to 2018, and in Austin from 1983 to 2015.
Max was a commander of Camp Jackson American Legion Post 112, a member of the House of Delegates, and a member of the Governing Body for the Indiana State Dental Association. Max also served as a precinct committeeman in Columbus, a Republican chairman in Jackson County for 12 years, a Republican chairman for the Ninth District for eight years, and he served as a delegate to the GOP State Convention in 1972, 1974, 1976, and 1978. Dr. Middendorf received the Sagamore of the Wabash two times, receiving one from Governor Otis Bowen and one from Governor Robert Orr.
Max loved spending time with his family and friends, drawing, gardening, reading Civil War books, and watching I.U. basketball. He always had a lively sense of humor.
Born on May 19, 1941, in Bartholomew County, Max was the son of Harold and Marcia (Mellencamp) Middendorf, both of whom preceded him in death. On June 21, 1969, at St. John’s Lutheran Church at White Creek, he married Eva Hoffman, and she survives in Brownstown.
Survivors also include one son, Bill (Anna) Middendorf of Sidney, Ohio; two daughters: Heather Voss of Brownstown, and Heidi (Todd) Bagwell of Bargersville; one brother, Marshall (Beth) Middendorf; four sisters: Linda (Marvin) Barkes, Carole Middendorf, Becky (Jim) Fahy, and Shirley (John) Bush; and six grandchildren: Aden Voss, Brody Voss, Robert Middendorf, Grace Middendorf, Clara Middendorf, and Samuel Middendorf.
Funeral services for Dr. Max Harold Middendorf will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Brownstown, with Pastor Ryan Schneider officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Brownstown.
Interment will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery, Jonesville.
Military honors will be presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled American Veterans 47, and Vietnam Vets 7.
Memorials may be given to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Brownstown.
All funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc.
Online memorials and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com