Max R. Meuli

Max R. Meuli was born on November 9, 1935 in Marquette, KS and died April 3, 2024.He was preceded in death by his parents, Royal “Pete” and Ellen Irene (Randall) Meuli.As a child, Max lived in Corpus Cristi, TX, New Born, NC, and then Hope, KS where he attended Hope High School, graduating in 1953. In high school, Max was a three-sport letterman (football, basketball and track); and qualified for State in the 100-yard dash his senior year.Max attended Fort Hays State University, and was on the men's Basketball Team. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in Business Administration.He married Marjorie “Marge” Ellen Gardner on September 2, 1956 in Marge's hometown of Wakeeney, KS. They were happily married for 67 years.Max joined the United States Marine Corp in 1957. He served and completed his military career as a Captain in 1960. He was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, Quantico, VA, and for 15 months, he was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan, as a Forward Air Controller.For the majority of his professional career, Max was a Banker and a Bank Consultant. He worked for various banks throughout Kansas, Colorado and Missouri.While banking was his career, his true love was being a cattle rancher. In 1985, Max and Marge moved to his family's ranch in Ashland, KS, where they lived for 35 years. There, Max completed his banking career at Citizen's State Bank of Ashland, KS and also operated his cattle ranch.Max was active in several civic groups and served on several board-of-directors including: Cheyenne Mountain Schools, Board of Education, Colorado Springs, CO, Young Life (a Christian organization for high school kids), Ashland Hospital Board in Ashland, KS, Youthville Youth Services, Dodge City, KS, Rotary Club in Colorado Springs, CO and Canon City, CO, and the Ashland Civic Club. He was also a delegate for the United Methodist Church conference. He and Marge started Young Life in Canon City and were active with Young Life for many years in Colorado Springs. Max and Marge also began an Easter Sunrise Service in 1987, on Mt. Jesus, near Ashland, that is still going on today.He and Marge moved to Regent Park Assisted Living, Wichita, Kansas in 2020 to be close to family.He is survived by his four children: Brad (Cary) Meuli, Denver, CO, Bret (Kristen) Meuli, Canon City, CO, Marti Dougherty, Wichita, KS, Micca (Mike) Folks, Hutchinson, KS; 16 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren (and 3 on the way).Max loved Jesus and was very grateful for his life, and daily counted his blessings.Funeral Service will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 13, 2024, at New Basel Church, Abilene, KS. Burial immediately following at the church cemetery, with military honors. Reception to follow.A memorial has been established with Club Parkinson’s, P.O. Box 771269, Wichita, KS 67277.Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.