INDIANAPOLIS – Max McKinney, 97, of Indianapolis, went to be with the Lord on March 15, 2023.

He was born in 1925 on a farm in Pickard, Ind., to Giles and Zelda McKinney. Max was a graduate of Butler University after serving in the Army Air Corps and spent his career in construction sales with Construction Products and Mid States Engineering among others.

Prior to joining the Army Air Corps in WWII, he attended Purdue University and was a member of Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity.

As a B-17 navigator and instructor in the Army Air Corps, he learned to read maps and used this skill later in life with historical maps at the Indiana Historical Society for 15 years.

Max was a caring family man with a sense of humor and was always interested in other’s lives and families.

He was a deacon and elder at First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis for 15 years. Later in life, he and his wife Isabel attended St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.

A Celebration of Life service took place on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Shirley Brothers Fishers – Castleton Chapel in Fishers.

Max is survived by two brothers, Mark McKinney of Tipton and Phil McKinney of Grand Ledge, Mich.; a daughter, Susan McKinney (Jefferson Summers); sons, Judson (Therese) McKinney and Matthew (Dian) McKinney; grandchildren, Michelle (Jacob) Boline, Kyle (Taylor) McKinney, Matthew (Cassandra) McKinney and Paul McKinney; great-grandson, Wyatt McKinney; and nephews, J. (Mary Claire) Chapman and Jeff (Michele) Chapman.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Isabel McKinney.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Autumnwood and the Waters of Tipton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Historical Society, Attn: Development, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.