Max L. Sims' Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Max Lacy Sims, age 76 of rural Charleston, ""went to be with Jesus"" on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, August 24, 2012 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will be private. It is requested that memorial gifts in his honor be made to the Silas K. Sims Scholarship or to Standing Stone Ministry. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Max was born on December 4, 1935 in Hutton Township, Coles County, Illinois and was the son of the late Francis and Merle (Cox) Sims. He married Mary Jo Quinn in Charleston on August 10, 1955 and for the past fifty-seven years they have shared a loving marriage and a special friendship. In addition to Mary Jo, Max is survived by three children, Krista Berner and husband Clay of Ashmore, Scott Sims and wife Jacqie of Westfield and Beth Kitchen and husband Steve of Charleston; nine grandchildren, Kelsey Willison and husband Kyley of Oakland, Brittany Myerscough and husband Rob and Ashley Berner, all of Charleston, Caleb Sims and wife Alisha of Mattoon, Keagan Sims, Alexa Sims and Alivia Sims, all of rural Westfield, Molly Kitchen of Troy, Illinois and Ross Kitchen of Charleston; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Jerry Sims and wife Margaret of St. Charles, Missouri; and two nephews and their wives. In addition to his parents, Max was preceded in death by his step-father, Habbo Manken. Max was a successful long-time livestock and grain farmer in Hutton Township. He was a devoted member of Salisbury Church and through his daily Christian walk was a role model not only for his family but for many. To meet Max was to know Max. He was an approachable gentleman with a warm smile and was blessed with tremendous social skills that allowed him to strike up a conversation with anyone - which in fact he usually did. He had quite a sense of humor and enjoyed life - often at the expense of others as the instigator of many a prank or practical joke. Max was an avid fisherman, so when he and Mary Jo headed to Florida for the winter, it was not only to escape the harsh Illinois weather but to enjoy several months of fishing on Lake Okeechobee. Max also enjoyed reading and acknowledged that he was a fan of St. Louis Cardinal baseball. He loved his little dog, Bo and was guilty of spoiling him immensely. Max was a friend to many and was devoted and committed to his family as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He has provided them with many memories and laughs along the way to cherish and treasure and the gift of a ""Godly Heritage"" for eternity.
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