Max Duane Scheel, 89 passed away peacefully at his home in Mesa, Arizona on July 10, 2019. He touched the lives of thousands as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great- great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
The son of Max and Gladys Benson Scheel, he was born on May 10, 1930 in Grand Island, Nebr. and was raised there with his three sisters Maxine and Donna (both deceased), and Beverly Nye Hindman.
As a child, he learned the value of hard work as he labored on the family farm. It was during his high school years that he developed an interest in music (played the drums in a dance band), football, and met his sweetheart Dolores Smith. They were married soon after graduation on August 1, 1948. They are the parents of 2 daughters, Cheryl (Kent Chapman), and Deborah (Randy Aagaard), and 1 son Max Douglas (Camille Bateman). After becoming active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, they were sealed as an eternal family in the Salt Lake Temple on August 5, 1955. It was at this time, they decided to move to Utah.
Max was a hardworking, entrepreneur, always looking for business opportunities. Even during his youth, he worked 2 or 3 jobs while going to school. His first business venture was a lumberyard and hardware store. From there he owned a cultured marble manufacturing and supply company, and a cabinet shop. At age 48, he decided to sell and retire, but was always looking for ways to invest, both with time and money.
Max was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. He loved teaching the gospel, and serving others. Always a friend and very likable! He served tirelessly in various church callings, including Stake High Council, High Priest Group Leader, and Bishop twice, once in Hunter, Utah and then in Midway, Utah.
After some traveling and snow-birding in Arizona, He and his sweet wife Dolores were called to serve on four missions: 1) Kirtland, Ohio area, 2) Temple Square Public Relations Directors, 3) Missionary Department (over all church visitor centers and pageants), and 4) Back to Kirtland, Ohio. Max frequently told his family and friends serving their missions were the best years of their lives!
Max will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his sweet wife of 71 years, 3 children, 15 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 4 great- great grandchildren.
Services for Max will be Friday, July 26th, beginning with the Interment at Valley View Cemetery in West Valley, Utah. The Memorial Service will then commence at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah 84095.
Dear Aunt Dolores and cousins, Cheryl, Debbie and Doug,
Please know that our prayers are with you at the passing of Uncle Max. I look forward to being with you at the memorial services next week. I have done my best to add several photographs and memories of Max’s life on Family Tree. I hope you will enjoy seeing/reading them. With love, Mark Nye (Media, PA)