LEXINGTON, KY.
Max E. Clerkin, 83, of Lexington, Kentucky, formerly of North Vernon, passed away at 2:40 PM on Monday, May 7, 2018, at his home.
A funeral service will be conducted at noon on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral & Cremation Service. Deacon Larry French will officiate. Burial and military graveside rites will be conducted in the Vernon Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Born December 4, 1934, in North Vernon, Max was the son of Leo and Mary Hallie McClellan Clerkin.
He graduated from North Vernon High School.
He married Gertraude Mitsch in Vulda, Germany, while serving his country in the armed services.
Max enlisted at age 17 and served two years in the U.S. Navy Reserves from April 1952 to January 1954.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army from January 1954 to January 1957.
He was a member of VFW Post 10131 in Seymour.
He was employed with the railroad for 40 years.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horse racing and recreational basketball with friends.
He enjoyed keeping up with his niece, nephews and cousins and loved them dearly. His new great-granddaughter was a loving joy to him in his final days.
He is survived by his wife, Gertraud Clerkin of Lexington, Kentucky; son, Robert M. Clerkin of Kansas City, Missouri, daughter, Belinda E. Huff of Lexington, Kentucky; sister Mary Jane McNeelan of Muncie, one brother, Michael Francis (Janet) Clerkin of North Vernon; four grandchildren, Jessica L. (Steve) Byrski and Jonathan M.M. Ruble, both of Lexington, Kentucky, Teresa J. Clerkin of Columbia, Missouri, Dale R. Clerkin of Kansas City, Missouri; one great-grandchild, Lillian M. Byrski; and over 30 nieces and nephews and cousins that he loved dearly and spoke of regularly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Robert Leo, Richard Marvin, James Edward, John Murphy “Jack” Clerkin, and three sisters, Margaret Ellen Thompson, Shirley Ann Eliot and Martha Helen Lemen.
Friends and family are invited to light a candle or leave a message of condolence in Max’s memory at www.sawyerfuneralservice.com.
