GREENVILLE MI – – Max D. Cesar, Sr., age 77, of Greenville, Michigan, passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 16, 2010 at Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Center Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. The son of Elmer & Lura (Fravel) Cesar, he was born on Feb. 18, 1933 in Day Twp., Montcalm County. Max served in the Michigan National Guard until enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps to fight in Korea. A decorated veteran, he was a life-member of the Lester J. Sitts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5065 in Sheridan, having served as Post Commander as well as Ninth District Commander. Max had also been a member of the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 in Greenville.
On September 7, 1973, at the Greenville First Church of God, he married the former Elsie M. Matthews. After more than 25 years of service, Max retired from the former Gibson Refrigerator Company where he worked as a press operator in the plastics department. Max was an avid fisherman and hunter, enjoyed Bluegrass and Polka music, and delighted in watching The Food Network.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four children, Darlene Hopkins, William “Bill” Cesar, Carl Cesar, and Greg D. Mays; a brother, Charles Cesar; a sister, Clara Jaquays.
Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Elsie Cesar; children, Max Jr. & Dawn Cesar of Greenville, Sue & Nacho Delgado of Florida, Mary Cesar of Chicago, Ill., Betty Lampani of Kentwood, Judy & Dale Wilcox of Ada, Don & Nancy Gillmer of South Carolina, and Patsy Raby of Greenville; two sisters, Zelma Brunner of Saginaw, and Nona Andersen of Stanton; a brother and two sisters-in-law, Don & Carol Cesar of Langston, and Marcy Cesar of Chicago, Ill.; 22 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the Christiansen Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a..m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010. Pastor Bob Cooper of the Greenville First Church of God will officiate and military honors, rendered jointly by the Lester J. Sitts VFW Post 5065 and the U.S. Marine Corps, will conclude the cememonies.
Envelopes for memorial contributions to the Meijer Heart Center at Spectrum Health will be available at the funeral home. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Max’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.christiansen-fh.com The Christiansen Funeral Home & Cremation Center, honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care, is entrusted with the arrangements.
