Lifetime resident of Milford, Max L. Duncan, 80, peacefully passed away on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester.
Born in Warsaw, on Aug. 17, 1944, Max was the son of Carl and Mary Louise Boggs Duncan. He graduated from Milford High School. Max threw shotput on the Milford High School track team and held the school record. He held the record until the school was closed. He was also a member of the basketball and baseball teams at Milford High School.
He entered the Marine Corps after high school. He was a mechanic for tracked vehicles, specifically AmTracs and LVTs. He was eager to tell the stories of his travels in the Marine Corps. Max was honorably discharged in 1966. He was a member of the American Legion Post 228 in Milford.
Max returned to the Milford area after his service to the Marine Corps and was married to Mary Duncan in 1967. They were parents to Dan Duncan. They later divorced.
Max’s career was to operate the family farm, and he operated an automotive mechanic shop in Milford. He provided automotive services to many people in and around Milford. Max was a hard worker and took pride in working with his hands as well as teaching others. He was the Wawasee High School auto mechanics advisor for numerous years.
Max joined the Milford Fire Department in November of 1966. He held several officer’s positions within the department and was fire chief from 1982 through 1987. He attended many schools to be a better fireman and officer. He studied fire suppression, fire origin investigation, and hazardous materials. He helped to usher in the 911 system, and helped to organize the fundraising for the Jaws of Life equipment.
He was passionate about Angus cattle. He maintained a cow calf operation. He carefully managed the genetics and the health of the herd. He was also a member of the Kosciusko County Cattleman's Association.
He enjoyed motorsports and attended the Indianapolis 500 for quite a few years. He worked on cars for several “performance minded” customers.
He loved his grandchildren and attended many of their events and supported their interests. In later years he was known to travel the streets of Milford (slowly) and share stories with friends at the local gathering places. Max loved to tell a good joke. Even if it was a mediocre joke – he would laugh hard enough that a chuckle was guaranteed from the listener.
He is dearly missed by his son, Dan and Kelly Duncan, of Milford; his two grandchildren, Jay Duncan, of West Lafayette; Evelyn Duncan, of Milford; his companion for many years, Carolyn Baker; brother-in-law, Arnold Miller; and nephew, Don Battenfield.
Max was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Alice Battenfield Miller Duncan.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 31 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mishler Funeral Home in Milford. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 with Pastor Steve Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the Milford Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Milford Fire Department, 214 S. Main St., Milford, IN 46542.