Maxwell Challoner Wood 'Max,' 93
Maxwell Challoner Wood “Max,” 93, passed away, Feb. 17, 2012, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Janis and George Weishaar of Spokane Valley. Max was born Aug. 19, 1918, in Portland, Ore., to Edgar and Louise (Erickson) Wood.
Max’s family moved to Wallace when he was an infant where he went on to graduate from Wallace High School in 1936. He also took accounting classes from the LaSalle Extension University.
Max married Genevieve Benson in Wallace on Feb. 12, 1938. He worked for Rossi Insurance Co. from 1938-1942 and then joined ASARCO as an accountant in 1942. Max served in the United States Navy in World War II Pacific Theater and was stationed in Honolulu from 1943-1945. He was honorably discharged in December 1945.
Upon discharge from the Navy, Max resumed his position as an accountant with American Smelting & Refining Co. in Wallace. He also did private accounting for many local businesses. He retired as Accounting Manager for ASARCO Northwest in 1983.
Max lived in this area all of his life. He lived in Wallace from 1918-1949, Silverton from 1949-1983 and then moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1983 where he resided at 2514 Lilly Drive. In May 2010, he moved to the Fairwinds Retirement Community in Coeur d’Alene until January 2012 when he moved in with his daughter and son-in-law in Spokane Valley.
Max was a lifetime member of the Wallace Elks Lodge and also a Rotarian, serving as president of the Wallace Rotary Club. He served as chairman of the board of the East Shoshone Hospital and was secretary/treasurer of the Idaho Ski Club at Lookout Pass Ski Area for many years. Max was a longtime member of the United Church of Christ Congregational and served as a disbursing treasurer.
Max was kind, outgoing and friendly and had a delightful sense of humor. He made many lasting friendships. His enjoyments were ballroom dancing, snow skiing, golf, world travel and gardening, Max was also an accomplished woodworker.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve; son David; brother Edgar and his sisters, Lucile Schleuter and Violet Calvert. He is survived by his daughter, Janis and son-in-law George Weishaar of Spokane Valley; granddaughter Heidi and husband Dave Meany; great-granddaughters Kathryn, Hannah and Genevieve Meany of Spokane; grandson David Kayce Wood of Coeur d’Alene; and numerous nephews and nieces.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the wonderful staff of Hospice of North Idaho and Hospice of Spokane. Memorials may be made to these organizations in Max’s memory.
A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at the Fairwinds Retirement Community. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of the final arrangements. Please visit Max’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.