Max Eugene Tucker, 85, of Caseyville, IL, formerly of Montgomery City, MO, died unexpectantly on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

Max was born May 6, 1930, in Farber, Missouri to Charles and Ruby Tucker. Max was a premie and wasn't expected to make it, he said he was so small his mom carried him around on a pillow. When he was five he and his parents moved to Caseyville, IL and eventually opened a mom and pop grocery store in town.

Max attended the Caseyville Elementary Grade School and Collinsville High School where he met the love of his life, Joyce McCann Tucker. They were married in August 25, 1951 at the Union Chapel Church in Caseyville, IL by the Reverend Robert Simpson. Dad was drafted into the Army in October 1951 and did his basic training at Ft. Riley, KS. Dad eventually was sent to Korea to serve with the B Btry 48th FA Bn in the infantry. He was wounded and decided to take a different job where he went to food services school to become a cook. Dad was discharged 30 July 1953.

Dad returned home to Caseyville where he then decided to become a meat cutter. After a few years at experience mom and dad along with his parents, Charlie and Ruby, decided to open Tucker's Market in Caseyville, IL. There were many good years meeting the wonderful friends that supported the store. It was truly a family owned and run business. Dad managed the meat department, mom ran the cash register with the help from Leona Dressel. Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Ruby took care of the vegetable department and we all learned how to stock shelves and bag groceries.

The many years of working 6 days a week took a toll and dad's health and he decided to sell the store and get a job with Schnucks in Belleville, IL.

They eventually decided to retire to Montgomery City, MO, so in August of 1978 they sold the house and moved to Missouri, where they lived until 2015 when they decided to move back to Illinois and take life easier.

Mom and dad enjoyed trips to NV, CA, and South Carolina with Leo and Delores Hadfield, and Shirley and Merrilles Niebruegge. We spent many hours camping, fishing and boat riding at Gillespie Lake. Where we all learned to water ski and make hobo pies by the campfire.
There were visits to the zoo with Mom's brother, Bob and Judy, and of course family dinners. Even though Dad was an only child, mom's family made holidays special with family, Delores and Leo Hadfield, Roger McCann (deceased), Don and Barb McCann, Mary and Ronnie Warner (deceased) and Bob and Judy McCann and many wonderful cousins.
Max and Joyce had three children, Deborah (W. Kem) Williams, Rick (Bobbette) Tucker, and Kenny (Maureena) Tucker. They had eight grandchildren, Jill and Eric Riess, Amanda Williams, Cody (Jen) Tucker, Erika Haberstock and Tyler (Stephanie) Haberstock, Shelby Tucker, Austin Tucker and Isabella Tucker. They have 6 great-grandchildren, Riley Riess, Nick Riess, Hannah Riess, Jessica Riess, Sereniti Haberstock and Theo Haberstock.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 22, 2016 at the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, MO. Interment with full military honors were in the Montgomery City Cemetery in Montgomery City, MO. Visitation was held on Friday from Noon until the time of service at the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, MO. Casketbearers included Kem Williams, Austin Tucker, Cody Tucker, Eric Riess, Terry Hadfield, and David Hadfield. Honorary casketbearer includes Tucker, Cody Tucker, Eric Riess, Terry Hadfield, and David Hadfield. Honorary casketbearer included Nick Riess.

Schlanker Funeral Home of Montgomery City, MO is in charge of the arrangements.