Max L. Reiter

Max Loren Reiter was born to Loren J. and Lora D. Daugherty Reiter on July 16, 1924 on a farm near Scottsville, Kansas but he nearly didn't survive his birthing. Both he and his mother were hemorrhaging, and while the physician tended to his mother, Max's grandmother, Josephine Collins Daugherty, tied the cord and plunged Max into a basin of warm water. That saved his life. And what a fine life she gave him! A farm boy with little in his pockets, he became a hardworking, responsible son who helped his mother with the wash and the mopping and cared for his four little sisters. He was their prince. At 13, Max moved to Beloit to attend high school where he did well, developed life-long friends, and was president of his senior class. He also met Nadine Adams there. They married on July 20, 1945, and they were devoted to one another for sixty-five years.

Max was proud of serving in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He belonged to the American Legion and deeply admired the Veteran's memorial at Elmwood Cemetery where he will lie in peace beside his Nadine. He was proud of serving his community. He was a steady worker all his life, eventually owning his own business, Reiter Insurance. His clientele and employees were extremely loyal to him knowing that he would always advocate for them. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Elks Club; he and Nadine delivered meals on wheels for years; he was a Hospice volunteer, usually asked to assist male clients who were glad to have a man to help them and talk with. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Catholic Church. He became a 4th degree Knights of Columbus and was honored to receive from his Uncle Jim, his grandfather's K of C sword.

He was blessed to rear two sons who married women Max and Nadine loved as daughters: Craig Max and MaDonna, and Scott Adams and Nancy Green. The family has grown to include his beloved grandchildren and their partners: Adele and Akeem, Dustin, Elizabeth and Tuta, Iris, Loren and Bonnie, Nick, and Thomas. The next generation of wonderful great grandchildren has begun with much beloved Hudson, Triston, Penelope and Manuel. In addition to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Max will be deeply missed by his sisters Dot Wicks of Lincoln, Beverly Lorenz and Kay Reiter both of Ottawa, sister-in-law Betty Adams of Loveland, Colorado; his brother-in-law Jack Adams and wife Dona of Gladstone, MO and many friends.

As fine a son, brother, uncle, husband, father, neighbor, boss and friend as was ever born, Max remained humble and hard-working. He was a good man.


Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM Monday, September 3, 2012 at St. John's Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. John's Catholic Church Memorial Trust Fund or to the VFW Post 6242. Max will lie in state at the McDonald Funeral Home from 1:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M. Sunday where the Parish Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M.