Max Byrd Pickel

Max Byrd Pickel, 81, of Bainbridge, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015.

Max was born on Jan. 30, 1934 in Carpentersville, Ind., to Glenn O. Pickel and Ruth E. Byrd Pickel.

He was a 1952 graduate of Roachdale High School. After graduation, Max served his country in the U.S. Army from 1956 until 1958.

Max was a 52-year member of Roachdale Christian Church, where he had served as a deacon; and was a member of Roachdale Lodge 602 F & AM. He was also a past member of the Russellville Order of the Eastern Star.

His auctioneering career started at the age of 16 years, when he cried his first auction. Over the years Max had been the owner of the Montgomery County Sales Pavilion, and owned and operated Max Pickel Auctioneering and Realty. Well known in the Tri-County area, Max cried many farm, household and livestock auctions.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Mark Pickel, and an infant sister, Glenna Pickel.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Lelah M. Pickel, whom he married on Aug. 5, 1962 in Bedford; three children, Ruth Taylor and husband Mike of Russiaville, JoEllen Luxton and husband Rob of Milton, Ga, and Boyd Pickel and wife Jennifer of Roachdale; and eight grandchildren, Lauren Taylor, Carter Taylor, Hannah Luxton, Addison Luxton, Shelby Luxton, Max Andrew Pickel, Aaron Pickel and Isaac Pickel.

A celebration of Max's life with military honors will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Roachdale Christian Church, 1 N. Walnut St., Roachdale, with Melvin Ford officiating. Directly after, please join Max's family in honoring him and sharing memories as his Celebration of Life continues at dinner at the church.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Sept. 19, beginning at 11 a.m. at the church.

Memorials in Max's name may be directed to the Putnam County Community Foundation, 2 S. Jackson St., Greencastle, IN 46135, for the benefit of the Putnam County 4-H General Scholarship fund or the North Putnam Community School Scholarship fund; or to the Roachdale Christian Church, 1 N. Walnut St., Roachdale, IN 46172.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.Hopkins-Rector.com.