Max Lowell Stearns

Max Lowell Stearns, 94, of North Vernon, passed away at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at his residence.

Born May 5, 1931, in Vernon, he was the son of the late Simeon Isaac and Emma Laura (Ellercamp) Stearns. He married Marilyn Jo Carter on May 9, 1951, in Indianapolis. She survives.

Max was a 1949 graduate of North Vernon High School and served in the United States Navy from 1949-1953 during the Korean War. He worked for Carters Dry Cleaners from 1954-1968 and then worked for the former Muscatatuck State Developmental Center in Butlerville from 1968 until his retirement in 1993. Max was a member of the First Christian Church in North Vernon since 1964. He enjoyed fishing, squirrel hunting, playing cards, especially Shanghai. Max was a great athlete and was a fan of the Cincinnati Reds, Green Bay Packers, and IU Basketball. He loved spending time with his family and had a special place in his heart for children with disabilities.

Surviving with his wife of 74 years Marilyn Jo, are his sons, Stephen Stearns (Melita) of Gridley, California, Simeon Stearns (Abby)  of North Vernon; Susan Wahlman of San Jacinto, Sandra Hughes (Gary) of Jasper and Sarah Stearns of North Vernon; grandchildren, Joel Wahlman (Megan), Leslee Brown (Justin), Leah Ison (Jake), Andrew Hughes (Candice), Ashley Sotomayer (Santiago), Isaac Stearns, Marley Stearns, Halle Stearns, Kayleigh Witt, Avery Witt, Charlie Witt, Jordan Cox, and Kirsten Fellows (Kyle); and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph and Robert Stearns; sister, Ladonna Stearns; granddaughter, Lauren Taylor Sheets; father and mother-in-law, Lester and Alberta Carter; and son-in-law, Richard Wahlman.

A funeral service for Max will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon with his grandson, Andrew Hughes officiating. The visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery with military graveside rites by members of Matt Hester Post #2021.

Memorials may be made in honor of Max through the funeral home to the Special Olympics, ALS Association, First Christian Church, or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.

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