Max L. Hilligoss

Max L. Hilligoss, 102, of South Whitley, IN passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Heritage of Huntington. Born on June 12, 1917 in Huntington County, he was the son of Arthur G. and Dorothy M. (Marshall) Hilligoss.

He played basketball and baseball while attending Clear Creek High School and graduated with the Class of 1935. On February 26, 1938, he married Dolores C. Nix. In 1949 they moved to Washington Township in Whitley County before moving to his present home on the family farm in 1970.

He had been a farmer all his life, starting at the age of 13. He used mules and horses in his early life of farming. It would take Max two hours each way to South Whitley to take corn to the Elevator, making two trips a day. In 2015 the Hilligoss farm was awarded the "Hoosier Homestead Farm" owned by the same family for 100 years. He was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church and coached the Church's league softball team in the early '50's.

He enjoyed watching the New York Yankees baseball, Norte Dame football and attending Huntington University basketball games for many years. As of this date, he was 102 ½ years old, lived alone in his own home and still driving to Huntington to have dinner.

Survivors include his daughters, Carolyn (Stanley) Fisher of Pleasant Lake and Nancy (Steve) Josephson of Los Angeles, CA; son, John (Deb Gerig) Hilligoss of South Whitley; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and 9 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; daughter, Sandra "Sue" Bryan; brother, Robert Hilligoss; sister, Miriam Burkhart Rice; and 1 great-grandson.

Visitation is 1-5 p.m. Sunday, February 16, 2020 at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a Rosary prayer beginning at 12:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 a.m. Monday at the St. Catherine's Catholic Church, 9989 S. SR 9, Columbia City, IN 46725 with visitation starting at 8:30 a.m. Father Dale Bauman will be officiating. Burial to follow at St Catherine's Nix Settlement Cemetery. Memorials may be given in his memory to Masses or St. Catherine's Catholic Church Preservation Fund. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send Max's family condolences online.