Max Edwin Aley

For some people, life is about the acquisition of material wealth or the pursuit of accomplishments and accolades from others. This was not who Max Aley was, however. He was a man whose greatest joys were loving his grandchildren and even later, his great-grandchildren. Max was no stranger to difficulties in his life yet he persevered through these times of trial while still finding happiness in the blessings that remained in his life. Although Max worked hard throughout his lifetime, he also enjoyed having fun too, and made many precious memories with his loved ones that have now become such priceless treasures. When looking back on the year 1912, events such as the sinking of the Titanic and the growing popularity of the Model T often come to mind. It was during this time that men wore striped trousers and top hats while dance crazes such as the Fox Trot and the Tango were popular nationwide. It was also in this same year that Benjamin and Edna (Robinson) Aley were celebrating the birth of their son, Max Edwin, on September 18th. Max was born on the White Lake Channel in Montague, Michigan, since his father worked at the White Lake Channel Life Saving Station now called the Coast Guard. Maxs mom was afraid of the water and after having two children, she told her husband that she would not live at the lighthouse they were just assigned to. His father then got a job as a welder and later worked for the city of Muskegon while his mother was a homemaker. During his formative years, Max was raised in the family home in Pinchtown within Muskegon County. He established a close relationship with his sister Edna Mae and during a time in which only one-third of the nations children were enrolled in school, Max did indeed attend school for a time. He first attended Nims Elementary followed by Bunker Middle School, but dropped out of school during the sixth grade in order to earn money for the family. Maxs mother gave him a suitcase and told him to start fixing radios. He also expanded his skills to include repairing televisions and after using parts from the Brunswick dump nearby, he sparked the curiosity of a boss at Brunswick who was on to Maxs recycling of their parts. This boss then offered Max a job, but had to lie on Maxs application saying that he was 16 when he in fact was not. His career then took Max down a few different paths. His radio skills allowed him to build a crystal set, a crystal radio receiver, and he was in fact one of the first in his area to do so. Max was also one of the first to get a ham radio amateur license in 1931 with his call sign of W8CPD. He later went into business with George Shipman creating a successful spring business that he operated until George suddenly died. Max then began working for American Coil Springs and remained there until he retired in 1979. While Max was busy building his career, life was full of both peaks and valleys in his personal life. He was deeply saddened with the death of his sister Edna Mae when she was just 23 years old. She died in a tuberculosis sanitarium when her good lung was punctured. Max again experienced tragedy in his life when his mother died in his arms after being involved in a car accident. Brighter days were in store for Max when he met a wonderful lady named Alvena Greene. After dating for a time, the couple was married on February 9, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan. Alvena took extraordinary care of Max in fact she even catered to him just like his parents had. Max and Alvena initially lived with Maxs father, and she took care of him too for the first 13 years of their marriage. Their family also grew to include their daughter Denise whom both Max and Alvena adored. Throughout the years, Max and Alvena shared a fulfilling marriage in which they just enjoyed being together. They loved playing music together Alvena was gifted at playing the organ while Max played the mandolin. Sometimes Alvena would play the Hawaiian guitar and Max would play the drums. Although they didnt travel much since Max really preferred to be at home, every two years they did travel to the Upper Peninsula to visit Alvenas family. They also built a cottage on Crystal Lake where they enjoyed spending much of their time. There were interests that were unique to Max and than he enjoyed pursuing when he had the time. He liked hunting and took several hunting dogs out with him. When he became a grandfather, nothing could have thrilled him more - Branden, Crystal, Amanda, and Mitchell immediately became the lights of his life. He enjoyed being involved in their lives in a variety of ways. The holidays were one of Maxs favorite times of year since there were plenty of opportunities to spend time with his family and friends. When his family tree came to include three great-grandchildren, Jaslynn, Caleb, and Ashtyn, Max enjoyed spending time with this youngest generation that had sprung forth from the love he shared with his wife for over 50 years. He also was a member of McGraft Memorial Congregational Church. In so many ways, Max enjoyed the simple things in life from picking up rocks on Lake Superior to arrowhead hunting in Oceana County. He loved exploring ghost towns and graveyards and of course, all the wonderful summers they spent at their cottage on Crystal Lake. Life became more difficult for Max when his beloved Alvena died of lung cancer in May of 2001. Although his days were certainly never the same, he still enjoyed doing things with his family. Whether he was hunting underneath the open sky, playing a song with his wife, or drinking in the laughter of his family gathered around him, Max Aley took in every moment he was given. To Max, the finer things in life were the times he shared with his family a true family man through and through. He always persevered as the storms of life blew his way while holding tight to those he held most dear. Max was an extraordinary man who will be dearly missed. Max E. Aley died Thursday, October 1, 2009. Maxs family includes his daughter, Denise (Craig) Meyer of Norton Shores; grandchildren, Branden, Crystal, Amanda & Mitchell;3 great grandchildren, Jaslynn, Caleb And Ashtyn; niece, Barbara (Lange) Lindland; cousin, Norman (Linda) Mysen & several nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alvena on May 15, 2001 & sister, Edna Mae Aley. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 5, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at the Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon Chapel Muskegon, MI, with Rev. Dr. Gerald Wahr officiating. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery. Visit with Maxs family on Sunday, 6-8 p.m. and Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Harbor Hospice.