Obituary

Service: Monday, June 9, 2014 - 2:30 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel

Calling: Monday, June 9, 2014 - 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home ****************************************************************************************** Max Eugene Wells, 85 of Kendallville, IN passed away at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne on Thursday, June 5, 2014 following a long illness with his loving caretakers, Raymond and Brenda Hamilton at his side.

Max was born July 18, 1928, in Warsaw, IN; the fourth child of the late Samuel Wells of Warsaw and Mildred (Hill) Helvey of Avilla, IN. During their formative years, Max and his sister, Emma, were raised by their maternal grandparents Ed and Carrie Hill. Max attended East Ward School and Warsaw High School, as well as the Warsaw Church of the Brethren.

Wells enlisted in the Army in August, 1948. Following basic training at Camp Breckinridge, KY, he was sent overseas to serve with the occupation forces in Japan. When the Korean War started, Cpl. Wells' unit, The 82nd Airborne Infantry Regiment was one of the first shipped from Japan. During the bitter fighting in September, Max was wounded and flown to a hospital in Japan. In November, he went back to the front assigned to the 35th Infantry Regiment as a .57 mm Recoilless rifleman. His outfit participated in the rigorous winter campaign until evacuated at Hungnam. Sent to the Southern part of the peninsula, they reorganized and pushed back to the 38th parallel.

The award of Silver Star for gallantry in action was given to Cpl. Max E. Wells for outstanding service against the enemy near Chonsong-ri, Korea, while serving with Company D of the 25th Infantry Division. When ordered to disengage, he remained at his post to hold off the enemy until the mortar platoon had displaced. After moving approximately 2 miles, the column was attacked by infiltrating enemy forces. Quickly directing his men to advantageous positions, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense close range fire to conduct a spirited defense that forced the enemy to withdraw. After posting his men as a security guard, he remained in the impact area until the entire convoy had passed through to safety. By his skillful coordination of movement and fire, he enabled his men to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy and reach their objective without loss of personnel or equipment. Cpl. Wells' courage, resolute leadership and unwavering devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Army.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Wells moved to Avilla, IN to be with his mother and stepfather, Jack and Mildred Helvey. He went to work at the Avilla lumberyard and eventually to work for Hipskin Paving where he stayed as a foreman until retirement.

To his great sorrow, Max lost his beloved children at early ages. Son, Terry Allen Wells passed away within 18 hours of his birth. Not a year passed he did visit his son's gravesite. Son, Terry Lee Wells died at the age of 21 on New Years Eve 1975 following a snowmobile accident. Stepdaughter, Sandra Kay Pierson died at the age of 15 in Kendallville in 1966.

Max's beloved wife, Janice, passed away in 2006. Since that time, his second family Raymond and Brenda Hamilton and sons, Dustin and Wesley have been his constant caregivers and support. Max was a caring "father" and "grandfather" to their family.

Wells was preceded in death by brothers Charles Wells, Robert Wells, and sister, Emma Jane (Wells) Secor. His closest living relatives are a niece, Janet Wiles and granddaughter, Allison Wiles and their families of Frederick, MD, and a nephew, Richard Wells of Pierceton, IN. Numerous other nieces and nephews are scattered across the United States from Florida to California.

Wells attended the Gospel Lighthouse in Kendallville.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 9, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville with Pastor Zaundra Hicks of the Gospel Lighthouse in Kendallville officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Honor guard services will be provided by Kendallville VFW Post 2749, Rome City American Legion Post 381, and Kendallville American Legion Post 86.

Calling is Monday, June 9, 2014, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com