Rev. Max Bailey, 95, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at LifeHouse Crystal Springs Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Max was born to Andrew Nelson and Charlotte Elizabeth (Preble) Bailey on June 17, 1917, in the two-story house that his father had built on their farm in Pipestone Township, Berrien County, Michigan. He graduated as class salutatorian from Eau Claire High School in 1935 and received the American Legion School Award, a bronze medal that was inscribed with the words: "Courage, Honor, Service, Leadership, Scholarship." He treasured this award his entire life as it was a reminder for him to live up to those goals.
After high school he entered the Berrien County Teachers Normal School, in Bridgman, Michigan. A year later in 1936, he began teaching in a one-room rural school in Van Buren County. His college education was earned over the next twenty-four years during summers, Saturdays, and evening courses because he was farming, teaching and raising his family. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in July of 1954 and then a Master of Arts Degree in July of 1959, both from Western Michigan University. For 38 years, he was a teacher, principal, and superintendent in a number of Michigan public schools --Spinks Corners, Hull, Pier, Crystal, Carson City, Grant, and Tecumseh.
While he was superintendent at Crystal Community Schools (1959-1961), he became an interim minister at Carson City Congregational Church for about eight months before he made the decision to enter the ministry in 1962. Following a three-year study course, he was ordained as a Minister of the United Church of Christ, June 21, 1964. He was installed as pastor at Grant Community Congregational Church in 1966, and at Tipton Community Congregational Church in 1968. Max retired in 1975 after an unsuccessful surgery left him permanently disabled. In honor of his many years of preaching and teaching, the Tipton Elementary School softball field was dedicated as "Bailey Field".
In 1976, Max sold his 250-acre farm, purchasing a home on Gady Road in Adrian. Max enjoyed tinkering in his garage, golfing, gardening, doing yard work, watching sports, playing cards, developing educational programs on his computer, traveling, reading, writing poetry, and spending time with family and friends. He even became a licensed (KA8AXK) amateur radio technician in 1994. He attended and was active at Raisin Presbyterian Church in Holloway until he moved into The Grand Court - Adrian in 1998. His favorite trip was in 1999 when he got to tour Tiger Stadium and watch the Tigers play a game there before it was torn down. From 2005 to 2013, Max lived at Heather Hills Retirement Village in Grand Rapids. Max loved to tell jokes and swap stories about his many experiences with others.
Max married Virginia Frieda Haselbeck, August 18, 1951 in South Bend, Indiana. Max and 'Ginny' were married for over 56 years, before she preceded him in death on October 16, 2007.
Max is survived by his daughter, Ginger (Dexter) Carrick of Traverse City; his sons, Bill Bailey of Kentwood, Owen (Tina) Bailey of Kingston, Rhode Island; his four grandchildren, Darcia (James) Brewer, Nathan Carrick, Jessica (Barry) DeJong, Justine Bailey; and three great-grandchildren, James and Shaelyn Brewer and Caroline DeJong. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces.
Max is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, George Preble 'G.P.' Bailey of Eau Claire, Michigan and Dr. Worth Andrew Bailey of Cheektowaga, New York.
Memorial donations may be given to the church or charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home; interment will be in Lenawee Memorial Gardens, both located in Tecumseh.
Max was born to Andrew Nelson and Charlotte Elizabeth (Preble) Bailey on June 17, 1917, in the two-story house that his father had built on their farm in Pipestone Township, Berrien County, Michigan. He graduated as class salutatorian from Eau Claire High School in 1935 and received the American Legion School Award, a bronze medal that was inscribed with the words: "Courage, Honor, Service, Leadership, Scholarship." He treasured this award his entire life as it was a reminder for him to live up to those goals.
After high school he entered the Berrien County Teachers Normal School, in Bridgman, Michigan. A year later in 1936, he began teaching in a one-room rural school in Van Buren County. His college education was earned over the next twenty-four years during summers, Saturdays, and evening courses because he was farming, teaching and raising his family. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in July of 1954 and then a Master of Arts Degree in July of 1959, both from Western Michigan University. For 38 years, he was a teacher, principal, and superintendent in a number of Michigan public schools --Spinks Corners, Hull, Pier, Crystal, Carson City, Grant, and Tecumseh.
While he was superintendent at Crystal Community Schools (1959-1961), he became an interim minister at Carson City Congregational Church for about eight months before he made the decision to enter the ministry in 1962. Following a three-year study course, he was ordained as a Minister of the United Church of Christ, June 21, 1964. He was installed as pastor at Grant Community Congregational Church in 1966, and at Tipton Community Congregational Church in 1968. Max retired in 1975 after an unsuccessful surgery left him permanently disabled. In honor of his many years of preaching and teaching, the Tipton Elementary School softball field was dedicated as "Bailey Field".
In 1976, Max sold his 250-acre farm, purchasing a home on Gady Road in Adrian. Max enjoyed tinkering in his garage, golfing, gardening, doing yard work, watching sports, playing cards, developing educational programs on his computer, traveling, reading, writing poetry, and spending time with family and friends. He even became a licensed (KA8AXK) amateur radio technician in 1994. He attended and was active at Raisin Presbyterian Church in Holloway until he moved into The Grand Court - Adrian in 1998. His favorite trip was in 1999 when he got to tour Tiger Stadium and watch the Tigers play a game there before it was torn down. From 2005 to 2013, Max lived at Heather Hills Retirement Village in Grand Rapids. Max loved to tell jokes and swap stories about his many experiences with others.
Max married Virginia Frieda Haselbeck, August 18, 1951 in South Bend, Indiana. Max and 'Ginny' were married for over 56 years, before she preceded him in death on October 16, 2007.
Max is survived by his daughter, Ginger (Dexter) Carrick of Traverse City; his sons, Bill Bailey of Kentwood, Owen (Tina) Bailey of Kingston, Rhode Island; his four grandchildren, Darcia (James) Brewer, Nathan Carrick, Jessica (Barry) DeJong, Justine Bailey; and three great-grandchildren, James and Shaelyn Brewer and Caroline DeJong. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces.
Max is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, George Preble 'G.P.' Bailey of Eau Claire, Michigan and Dr. Worth Andrew Bailey of Cheektowaga, New York.
Memorial donations may be given to the church or charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home; interment will be in Lenawee Memorial Gardens, both located in Tecumseh.
Rev. Max Bailey, 95, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at LifeHouse Crystal Springs Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Max was born to Andrew Nelson and Charlotte Elizabeth (Preble) Bailey on June 17, 1917, in the two-story house that his father had built on their farm in Pipestone Township, Berrien County, Michigan. He graduated as class salutatorian from Eau Claire High School in 1935 and received the American Legion School Award, a bronze medal that was inscribed with the words: "Courage, Honor, Service, Leadership, Scholarship." He treasured this award his entire life as it was a reminder for him to live up to those goals.
After high school he entered the Berrien County Teachers Normal School, in Bridgman, Michigan. A year later in 1936, he began teaching in a one-room rural school in Van Buren County. His college education was earned over the next twenty-four years during summers, Saturdays, and evening courses because he was farming, teaching and raising his family. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in July of 1954 and then a Master of Arts Degree in July of 1959, both from Western Michigan University. For 38 years, he was a teacher, principal, and superintendent in a number of Michigan public schools --Spinks Corners, Hull, Pier, Crystal, Carson City, Grant, and Tecumseh.
While he was superintendent at Crystal Community Schools (1959-1961), he became an interim minister at Carson City Congregational Church for about eight months before he made the decision to enter the ministry in 1962. Following a three-year study course, he was ordained as a Minister of the United Church of Christ, June 21, 1964. He was installed as pastor at Grant Community Congregational Church in 1966, and at Tipton Community Congregational Church in 1968. Max retired in 1975 after an unsuccessful surgery left him permanently disabled. In honor of his many years of preaching and teaching, the Tipton Elementary School softball field was dedicated as "Bailey Field".
In 1976, Max sold his 250-acre farm, purchasing a home on Gady Road in Adrian. Max enjoyed tinkering in his garage, golfing, gardening, doing yard work, watching sports, playing cards, developing educational programs on his computer, traveling, reading, writing poetry, and spending time with family and friends. He even became a licensed (KA8AXK) amateur radio technician in 1994. He attended and was active at Raisin Presbyterian Church in Holloway until he moved into The Grand Court - Adrian in 1998. His favorite trip was in 1999 when he got to tour Tiger Stadium and watch the Tigers play a game there before it was torn down. From 2005 to 2013, Max lived at Heather Hills Retirement Village in Grand Rapids. Max loved to tell jokes and swap stories about his many experiences with others.
Max married Virginia Frieda Haselbeck, August 18, 1951 in South Bend, Indiana. Max and 'Ginny' were married for over 56 years, before she preceded him in death on October 16, 2007.
Max is survived by his daughter, Ginger (Dexter) Carrick of Traverse City; his sons, Bill Bailey of Kentwood, Owen (Tina) Bailey of Kingston, Rhode Island; his four grandchildren, Darcia (James) Brewer, Nathan Carrick, Jessica (Barry) DeJong, Justine Bailey; and three great-grandchildren, James and Shaelyn Brewer and Caroline DeJong. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces.
Max is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, George Preble 'G.P.' Bailey of Eau Claire, Michigan and Dr. Worth Andrew Bailey of Cheektowaga, New York.
Memorial donations may be given to the church or charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home; interment will be in Lenawee Memorial Gardens, both located in Tecumseh.
Max was born to Andrew Nelson and Charlotte Elizabeth (Preble) Bailey on June 17, 1917, in the two-story house that his father had built on their farm in Pipestone Township, Berrien County, Michigan. He graduated as class salutatorian from Eau Claire High School in 1935 and received the American Legion School Award, a bronze medal that was inscribed with the words: "Courage, Honor, Service, Leadership, Scholarship." He treasured this award his entire life as it was a reminder for him to live up to those goals.
After high school he entered the Berrien County Teachers Normal School, in Bridgman, Michigan. A year later in 1936, he began teaching in a one-room rural school in Van Buren County. His college education was earned over the next twenty-four years during summers, Saturdays, and evening courses because he was farming, teaching and raising his family. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in July of 1954 and then a Master of Arts Degree in July of 1959, both from Western Michigan University. For 38 years, he was a teacher, principal, and superintendent in a number of Michigan public schools --Spinks Corners, Hull, Pier, Crystal, Carson City, Grant, and Tecumseh.
While he was superintendent at Crystal Community Schools (1959-1961), he became an interim minister at Carson City Congregational Church for about eight months before he made the decision to enter the ministry in 1962. Following a three-year study course, he was ordained as a Minister of the United Church of Christ, June 21, 1964. He was installed as pastor at Grant Community Congregational Church in 1966, and at Tipton Community Congregational Church in 1968. Max retired in 1975 after an unsuccessful surgery left him permanently disabled. In honor of his many years of preaching and teaching, the Tipton Elementary School softball field was dedicated as "Bailey Field".
In 1976, Max sold his 250-acre farm, purchasing a home on Gady Road in Adrian. Max enjoyed tinkering in his garage, golfing, gardening, doing yard work, watching sports, playing cards, developing educational programs on his computer, traveling, reading, writing poetry, and spending time with family and friends. He even became a licensed (KA8AXK) amateur radio technician in 1994. He attended and was active at Raisin Presbyterian Church in Holloway until he moved into The Grand Court - Adrian in 1998. His favorite trip was in 1999 when he got to tour Tiger Stadium and watch the Tigers play a game there before it was torn down. From 2005 to 2013, Max lived at Heather Hills Retirement Village in Grand Rapids. Max loved to tell jokes and swap stories about his many experiences with others.
Max married Virginia Frieda Haselbeck, August 18, 1951 in South Bend, Indiana. Max and 'Ginny' were married for over 56 years, before she preceded him in death on October 16, 2007.
Max is survived by his daughter, Ginger (Dexter) Carrick of Traverse City; his sons, Bill Bailey of Kentwood, Owen (Tina) Bailey of Kingston, Rhode Island; his four grandchildren, Darcia (James) Brewer, Nathan Carrick, Jessica (Barry) DeJong, Justine Bailey; and three great-grandchildren, James and Shaelyn Brewer and Caroline DeJong. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces.
Max is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, George Preble 'G.P.' Bailey of Eau Claire, Michigan and Dr. Worth Andrew Bailey of Cheektowaga, New York.
Memorial donations may be given to the church or charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home; interment will be in Lenawee Memorial Gardens, both located in Tecumseh.
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