Max De St. Joer
Commander - Air Force
He attended schools in Provo, and graduated from Provo High in 1941, after which he attended Fry Aircraft School, where he was trained in aircraft engine repair. Max went on to work for Douglas Aircraft for a short time before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in April of 1943. He was then assigned and stationed at the British Air Depot 2 in England as part of the 8th Air Force for over 2 years as an aircraft mechanic till the end of WWII.
After the war ended he returned home and met his sweetheart, Betty Smith, and they were married Dec.4, 1946. They made Orem their home, and raised their 5 children there. Max worked for Givan Ford as a tech and service rep for over 45 years, and later worked for Field welding and CarQuest until he retired at age 92**.
Max served his community in many capacities including coaching little league baseball, influencing hundreds of boys for 17 years. He also served as commander of VFW post 8376 for over 50 years. Max was also the driving force behind the establishment and construction of the Veterans Memorial at Orem Cemetery, and started the tradition of making veteran memorial crosses and displaying them at the cemetery on Memorial Day. He personally made over 300 of the crosses himself.
He received the Walter C. Orem award for his service to the community in 2000, and in 2008 he was honored in Washington D.C. and received the Prime Time award from Experience Works, a national organization that awards elderly employees who have distinguished themselves in their industry.
Max is survived by his children, Dennis (Steffi) Jacksonville, Fl., Linda Winder of Orem, Maxine (Boyd) Jacobson of Lindon, David (Andrea) of Orem, and Don (Cec) of Lindon; 24 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sweet wife of 59 years, Betty; son in law, Tony Winder; granddaughter, Wendy Winder; grandson, Joshua Sorenson; great-granddaughter, Addison Christensen, and all 6 of his siblings.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah. Friends may visit with the family at the mortuary Wednesday, May 22 from 6-8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30-10:50 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Orem City Cemetery. Full military honors to be provided by VFW Timpanogos post 4918. Condolences may be offered and memories shared at www.bergmortuary.com.
