Max Porter

Donald Max Porter was born January 14, 1925 on a farm south of Glen Elder, the son of Archie Davis and Beulah Neifert Porter. He died on August 14, 2006 at the Mitchell County Hospital at the age of 81 years, 7 months.
Max attended grade school at Fairview before graduating from Glen Elder High School with the class of 1942. Following graduation he served as a staff sergeant with the 148 Regiment – 37th Infantry Division of the Army of the United States for 25 months of which 19 months were spent in the Philippine Islands. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the Glen Elder American Legion Post #142.
On December 29, 1946 he was united in marriage to Phyllis Dean. They made their family home on different farms in Mitchell and Jewell counties until buying and moving to their present farm at the North edge of Glen Elder in 1953. Three children were born into this union: John Dean, Kathy Leigh, and Tim E.
Max began his lifelong career of raising hogs, cattle, and farming. Max constructed portable buildings and managed a farrow-to-finish hog operation. "Porters Porkers" became a well-known name in the hog circuit throughout Kansas and neighboring states. After college, sons John and Tim formed a partnership with their Dad and worked side by side with him for many years. Max was a member of numerous livestock and community organizations serving in various positions, he was an active member of the Glen Elder United Methodist Church, he served as president of the Mitchell County Fair Board Association for 35 years, and was an instrumental member of the Glen Elder Family History Book Committee working to preserve the Glen Elder heritage. Some of his proudest moments were in 1964 when he and his family were chosen "Kansas Farm Family of the Year" being honored at the American Royal in Kansas City and in 1983 when Max & Phyllis were selected as "Master Farmer and Homemaker" of Kansas.
Max was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gene.
Those left to mourn and celebrate his life are Phyllis of the home; his sons, John and wife Diane, Tim and wife Janet, daughter Kathy and Kim Gaston, all of Glen Elder; seven grandchildren and their families, Shale Porter and fiancé Dawn and her daughter Tatem Tietjens; Dusty, Jodi, Jalyn, and Kinley Porter; Shauna, Creighton, and Peyton Remus; Shasta and Bryan Weatherman; Kam Gaston; Shanae and Shandee Porter.
Max was proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and their accomplishments. He loved attending every event they participated in and didn't hesitate to point out which grandchildren were his. We are a family who can work, laugh, cry, and pray together. With God's help, love united our family so that stumbling blocks were turned into stepping stones.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, August 16, at the Glen Elder United Methodist Church. Memorials may be given to the church. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit.