Max H. Hudgens Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Max H. Hudgens, age 96, of Marion, IL passed away at 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at Parkway Manor of Marion, IL where he was a resident for only a short time. Prior to that he lived at his home near the Lake of Egypt for over sixty years. He was born at home, in the town of Hudgens located south of Marion, IL, the son of Herman and Emily Dora (Newlin) Hudgens. Max was not able to serve in the military because of a health issue, but did serve in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. He was united in marriage to Imogene Jones on Sunday, March 3, 1940 in Jackson, MO and together they shared over fifty-seven years of marriage until her death, December 13, 1997. Early in his working career he worked at the Grinnell Sash and Door Company located in the Ordill area west of Marion, IL. Later he began working in road construction and was also involved in the building of bridges for many years. Later he was offered the opportunity to work for the Marion Unit II School System and finished his working career as one of their custodians and retired at the age of 64. He was a member and during his lifetime was actively involved with the McKinney Chapel Church near the Lake of Egypt until just recently when his health did not permit him to attend. Max was a proud member, since the 1940’s, of the Laborers International Local Union No. 773 of Marion, IL and a member of the National Rifle Association. In his spare time some of his other interests included; horseback riding and last riding at age 93, walking and hiking trails, taking long drives with his family and telling them all about the history of the area, gardening and sang for years in a quartet in many of the area’s churches and several evenings of the week he loved to go country dancing. He is survived by his son, Gene Herman Hudgens of Marion, IL; daughter and son-in-law, Saundra Kaye and Jim Douglas of Marion, IL; four grandchildren, Gene William Hudgens of Ewa Beach, HI, Ana Ligia Hudgens, Todd Kelley and his wife, Tina and Scott L. Kelley all of Marion, IL; sister, Rosemary Sims of Marion, IL, several nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; two sisters, Ivalee Travelstead and Geneva Hudgens and four brothers, Virgil, Glendale, Carl and Zach Hudgens. Arrangements were entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion, IL. A time of visitation for family and friends was on Saturday, June 28, 2014, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Following the time of visitation the funeral service was at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Kenneth Blumenstock and Pastor R.G. Null presiding. The prelude and postlude musical selections were recorded piano selections. Special recorded vocal musical selections presented during the service were “In the Garden” by Alan Jackson, “I’ll Meet You In the Morning” by The Gaither Vocal Band and “Precious Memories” by Alan Jackson. Interment followed next to his wife in Fountain Cemetery south of Marion, IL. Pallbearers were Jim Douglas, Todd Kelley, Scott L. Kelly, Johnnie Ray Sims, Paul Sims and Robin Escue. For those who preferred, memorial gifts in memory of Max H. Hudgens were made to either “American Cancer Society” or “Fountain Cemetery”. Memorial contribution envelopes were available at the funeral home or were mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. For additional information please contact the funeral home by calling 618-993-2131.

Max H. Hudgens

March 30, 1918 - June 24, 2014