Max R. Hauk
Max Robert Hauk, of Monticello, was born March 5, 1920. A native son of Indiana, Max Robert Hauk continued his journey on to heaven after almost 101 years on this earth on Feb. 17, 2021.
He was a dedicated husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, World War II veteran, educator and farmer. He died just 16 days short of his 101st birthday. It was a good, long run.
In 1920, Max was born to Fay and George Hauk. The 1920s were tumultuous times and the Hauk family was not exempt. Maxâs dad, George, died in 1928, leaving Fay a widow with an 8-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter, Mary.
After graduating from Bluffton High School, Max left home to attend Purdue University. He paid his way through school by waiting tables in the dining hall. He graduated from Purdue with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He was a proud and loyal Boilermaker his entire life.
Soon after graduation came World War II. Max joined the Army as a 2nd lieutenant and served in the Army Transportation Corps for four years. Interestingly, most of his service was on a cargo ship assigned to the Navy that sailed the treacherous sea lanes near Manila in the Philippines. When he left active duty, he had attained the rank of captain.
It was his time in the service that led Max to New Orleans, where he met and married his lovely southern bride, known to all as âQueenie.â He brought her home to Bluffton to start their life together, a union lasting almost 74 years.
Upon returning to Indiana with his bride, Max began a 35-year career as an educator. He taught in Hagerstown, Liberty Center (eventually becoming principal), South Side High School in Ft Wayne, eventually coming full circle and returning to Bluffton as a school administrator and assistant superintendent of Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District.
Max and Queenie eventually bought a farm near Bluffton. A dream come true for Max, he was able to use the expertise in agriculture that he had learned from his father and from his classes at Purdue. He would come home after a full day of teaching and go straight to work farming his land
Max and Queenie raised their two daughters on this farm, Melinda (Leighty) and Cynthia (Ehrlich). Both girls learned a strong work ethic and a powerful faith. In Maxâs household, there was a right and a wrong way to live, and youâd better choose the right way. No exceptions. Six Mile Church was a cornerstone of life for their family. Max served his church as a deacon for many years.
As a grandpa and great-grandpa, Max leaves a treasure trove of memories and great stories for his grandchildren, Carrie and Mark (Liz) Ehrlich, and Laura and Kim Leighty. He has three great-grandchildren, Luke Ehrlich, age 3, John Rodney Ehrlich, age 4 months, and Morgan Freeman, age 8.
Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. EST at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home. A time for sharing stories and memories will be 1 p.m., followed by military honors.
Burial will be Saturday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. in Six Mile Cemetery in Bluffton and is open to friends and family. The family will receive visitors at Six Mile Church in Bluffton from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the church.
Funeral services celebrating Maxâs life will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the church.
Attendees are required to wear a mask and social distance.
Memorial contributions may be made to Monticello United Methodist Church, Six Mile Church or Samaritanâs Purse. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.
Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello is entrusted with care.
Family and friends are encouraged to share a memory or messages of condolence at www.springerfuneralhome.com.
