Mr. Max Lee Hungerford, 89, of Rochester, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at 7:17 AM Tuesday, February 7 , 2017 at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Miramar Beach, FL.

On December 27 , 1927, Max was born in Clinton, Indiana.  He was a treasured son of Leo and Lena Houchin Hungerford.  Growing up he shared his childhood with two sisters, Louise and Lela, and a brother, Harold.  During his high school years, Max enjoyed a stellar basketball career playing forward for the Clinton Wildcats men's basketball team.  He established and held many scoring records during his play in the Wabash Valley Tournaments.  The CHS men's basketball team often dominated the sectional action, winning three tournaments while Max was in high school.  During his senior year, he served as class president and graduated with great pride from Clinton High School in 1946.

Following high school, patriotism beckoned and Max answered the call serving in the U.S. Army.  After 15 months of service Max was honorably discharged as a TEC  4 on November of  1947.  He was decorated with the World War II Victory Medal and the Army Occupational Medal in Japan.

Returning from the service Max headed to Indiana State University under the GI bill to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher.  While at ISU he exercised his athletic prowess, playing on the Sycamore men's basketball team.  In 1952, he graduated from ISU with a degree in secondary education specializing in the areas of industrial education and physical education.  Max first embarked on his teaching career in McLean, IL, where he also was the basketball and baseball coach.

On December 23 , 1950, in the United Methodist Church of Clinton, Max married his college sweetheart, Joan Murphy.  They shared 63 ½ years of life's adventures.  From their union came a beautiful daughter, Karen.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two grandsons, and five great-grandchildren.

In 1956, Max and Joan moved to the Rochester community.  They both taught at Rochester High School until their retirement.  Max was one of the last of his generation that always wore a sport coat and tie to work each day and attended a majority of the Rochester Zebra extra-curricular events.

Joan and Max enjoyed traveling.  Many cherished memories were made during spring break and following their retirement wintering at Sarasota's Siesta Key and Destin where they annually met college classmates and colleagues.

Remembered by family and close friends as a soft- spoken, self-made man with a witty sense of humor, Max was a lifetime tennis player.  He also was accomplished at the game of pickle ball.  Max built his own home and enjoyed woodworking in his basement shop.  Neighbors remember him as always being there to help them with projects no matter how large or small.  Following his move to Rochester in his early years, Max pitched a softball no-hitter, fanning 21 batters in a row.

Left to cherish Max's memory are a daughter, Karen Sakel and husband Tully of Huntingburg; two grandsons: Kirk Sakel and wife Jennifer of Newburgh, Reid Sakel and wife Bianca of Huntingburg; five great grandchildren: Meredith, Conner, Olivia, Kate, and Maxwell; and many nieces and nephews.  Preceding Max in death are his parents, beloved wife, Joan, on September 14 , 2014, two sisters: Louise and Lela, a brother Harold, and Peppy, his devoted Boston terrier.

Military rites will be conducted by the Fulton County Veteran's Honor Guard and the US Army Honor Guard.  Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.