Max Fulling

Max Fulling, 87, of Palestine, IL, died October 30, 2020, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. He was born on September 6, 1933, at the family farm home southeast of Palestine, the first of six children born to Byrl & Dorothy (Nigh) Fulling. He attended Centennial Grade School south of Palestine until it closed following his 7th grade year. He went on to attend Palestine High School, where he graduated in 1951. He continued his education at the University of Illinois, where he sang in the varsity Men's Glee Club and was the senior manager for the varsity baseball team. It was here at U of I that he met Joan Beverly Vladar. They would marry on June 25, 1955, just one week after his graduation. Though he grew up on a dairy farm, his greatest agricultural passion was beef cattle. He started showing cattle at the age of 9 and retired from feedlot beef production 65 years later in 2007. He and Joan enjoyed going to the National Cattleman's Convention in places such as Denver, CO, San Antonio, TX, as well as others. A lifelong grain and livestock producer, Max was active with the Crawford County Pork Producers and also served as director for the Crawford County Farm Bureau. He was a longtime partner of and advocate for Crawford County 4-H, with whom he served as a foundation board member and invested himself as a club leader, all while working numerous county fairs. He also spent many years on the Board of Directors of Second National Bank of Robinson (which eventually became First National Bank). Throughout his tenure there, he enjoyed interacting with the bank's many employees, customers, and fellow board members. Max was also a pillar at the First Presbyterian Church in Palestine, where he assisted in just about every capacity one could possibly serve. As newlyweds, he and Joan were youth group leaders. He continued to pour into the coming generations as a high school Sunday school teacher and also taught adult classes as well. For 22 years, Max served as the church's choir director, and even after stepping down from this position, his church family was blessed to hear his powerful, booming voice worship God for 43 years as the backbone of the choir. Though he was known to work hard, Max also enjoyed various types of recreation. He took a golf class while in college and didn't hang up his clubs until 2017, when, at the age of 84, he came within 2 strokes of shooting his age. Ice hockey on local ponds was a highly-anticipated winter activity, and he was even able to coerce Joan into playing goalie with a scoop shovel as a stick a few times! Following a trip to the Caribbean, Max purchased a Hobie 16' Catamaran in the early '80's, and this was a great source of joy for him (and sometimes, Joan) over the years. In fact, he even competed in a regatta on Lake Michigan one summer! In December, 1974, Max loaded up his wife and three teenage sons and headed west to Winter Park, CO to explore the lure of snow skiing in the Rocky Mountains. In the ensuing 46 years, there have been countless ski vacations through many varied travel modes by family, friends, and area residents to the beautiful snow-capped peaks of the west. Over the past 30+ years, Max has worked alongside Joan and a great many other volunteers in the renovation of the Fife Opera House. He was thankful for all those who freely shared their time, talents, and positive attitudes in this and every endeavor. Those who knew Max could attest to the fact that this farmer's physical strength was surpassed only by the strength of his character. It could be said that Max Fulling glorified God with the way he lived his life. His time on earth was marked by enduring faithfulness, profound humility, and a generosity of spirit that reminded us daily of God's goodness. In short, Max let his light shine before others; a light that will continue to shine brightly in the presence of his Savior, forever. He is survived by his sons & daughters-in-law, Eric & Marilyn Fulling (Palestine, IL), Bruce & Debbie Fulling (Indianapolis, IN) and Kyle & Dee Fulling (Robinson, IL); by his 11 grandchildren, Patrick, Jason, Jennifer, Amanda, LeeAnne, Kaycee, Lance, Jay, Stephanie, Valarie and Bradley; by 17 great-grandchildren; by his brother, Bob Fulling; by 3 sisters-in-law; by 2 first cousins; and by 15 nieces and nephews and thieir families. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Joan; by his parents, Byrl & Dorothy; by his brothers, John, Lee, and George; by his sister, Alice "Polly"; and by one brother-in-law and one sister-in-law. It is with regret that, due to the newly-increased public safety measures being enforced by the State of Illinois, there will not be a public visitation, nor will there be an in-person service. However, Max and Joan's family would like to invite you to view the live stream of their service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7th. This can be done on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Following the service, a graveside will be held at the Palestine Cemetery, where, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., the public will be given the opportunity to drive-by to offer comfort and support to the family. *Please note that drive-by attendees will be staged in the lot to the west of the Rodeo arena before being led through the cemetery.* Memorials may be made to the "Fife Opera House", the "Crawford County 4-H and Extension Foundation", or to the “Palestine First Presbyterian Church” with envelopes available at the cemetery.