ELWOOD – Max K. Hoppel, age 78, and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville and is now resting eternally in the arms of Jesus.
He was born on June 26, 1944, in Elwood, to George Wilson and Rusha Arlene (Raley) Hoppel.
Max married the loved of his life, Cheryl L. Miller, on Jan. 27, 1968, in North Webster and they just recently celebrated their 55th anniversary.
Max was a 1962 graduate of Frankton High School before serving his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was often seen wearing his “Vietnam Veteran” hat wherever he went.
After his military service, Max earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Anderson College and later his master’s degree from Ball State. Max was a teacher and coach at Elwood Community School Corporation for more than 30 years and retired in 2010. He was a loved and respected coach for several Elwood sports.
In high school, Max excelled on the basketball court and baseball field. He was a proud Anderson College Raven and a member of the 1965 College World Series Championship team. Max was coached by the iconic Carl Erskine and his team was enshrined into the Anderson University Athletic Hall of Fame on the 50th anniversary of their historic season. He had deep lifelong bonds with his coach and teammates who continued to gather together over the years.
Max began his lifelong coaching career at the age of 14 and continued throughout his teaching career and beyond. Over the years, he coached, mentored and counseled countless athletes and students, each one knowing he believed in them and served as their biggest advocate.
He was active in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for many years. Max coached baseball with Mike Bomholt; basketball with Kevin Frye and Julie Johnson; as well as football and tennis. He was extremely humbled and proud to have the Elwood High School Tennis Complex named after him.
Max and Cheryl were longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church in Elwood where he served as church treasurer and a variety of other leadership roles. He was a high school Sunday school teacher and shared his deep faith with all he encountered. Max had a servant heart and lived to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He loved all people and truly left the world a better place than he found it.
Max enjoyed spending time at his lake home on Lake Webster, vacationing with family to the Dominican Republic, planting and raising tomatoes in his garden and playing pickle-ball.
His greatest joy was his family, and he loved bragging on his five beautiful and unique grandchildren to all who would listen.
There is no doubt that he was welcomed into the pearly gates and is now playing pickle-ball and teaching everyone in Heaven the proper way to throw a baseball. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Well done.”
Max’s family legacy includes his beloved wife, Cheryl of Elwood; two daughters, Stacey (Chad) Bock of Elwood and Carrie (Jason) Bucher of Fishers; sister, Betty Wood of Elwood; five grandchildren, Aaron Cruz, Eli Bock, Olivia Bucher, Ian Bucher and Clark Bucher; Cheryl’s siblings, Roger Miller, Barb Freel and Linda Roberts; niece, Lori (Mark) Reynolds; and two nephews, Donald “Keith” Wood and Matt (Pam) Wood.
Max is preceded in death by his parents and a brotherin- law, Don Wood.
A funeral service celebrating Max’s life will be on at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with the Rev. Phil Votaw officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, March 3, 2023, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, at Marion National Cemetery in Marion. Aprocession to the cemetery will leave at 10:15 a.m. from Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Madison County Federal Credit Union where the Max Hoppel Scholarship Fund will be established for Elwood students.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.
