Max V. "Blue" Bluhm

Although his life was filled with so many things he loved, nothing made Max Bluhm happier than being surrounded by the family he treasured. He was a fun-loving uncle and dedicated family man who lived life to the fullest each day. All who knew Max would agree that he was the life of the party wherever he went, and he also had a special way of making others feel at ease. He was loving, spirited, and sincere, and he was also a sports enthusiast who was deeply devoted to his favorite teams. The memories Max, or Blue as he was sometimes known, leaves behind will be lasting treasures in the lives of those who were blessed to know and love him. During the second half of the 1940s, America was making the shift from being a nation at war to a nation at peace with the end of WWII in 1945. The war brought welcome relief from the hardship of the Great Depression of the 1930s, yet it also introduced Americans to rationing on common goods. As the year 1947 dawned, the housing market was exploding as the baby boom was underway. It was on September 1st of that year that a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, was excited with a baby boom of their own as they announced the birth of their baby boy. Max's parents were Max and Virginia (Schuitema) Bluhm. He was the first of six children and was raised in the family home in the Bluffton neighborhood of Muskegon alongside his siblings, Debbie, Kurt, Kim, Jane, and Pam. His father owned Service Transfer Moving Company while his mother was a homemaker. The family was given a tough pill to swallow with the untimely death of his father in 1953 when his father was only 30. Maxs mother remarried Larry Radke in 1954, which brought them all to Norton Shores where they settled into a home on Randall Road. In many ways Max experienced an upbringing that was rather common for the youth of his generation. As the oldest sibling, he was sometimes left to care for his younger siblings, although he was never a fan of babysitting. Max was close to his cousins and siblings with whom he loved pulling pranks of all kinds. He was a student at local schools including Bluffton Elementary before moving to Norton Shores. Maxs love for sports was established during his youth, and he played baseball for several years. He went on to Mona Shores High School where he excelled in his studies and was an integral part of the debate team. This was a great fit for Max as he loved to argue and debate. In fact, he was even named debater of the year! He went on to graduate in 1965 as part of the first class to graduate from that school. With his high school years behind him, Max went on to Michigan State University. He was a Spartans fan for the rest of his life as well as a life member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Max also developed lifelong friendships with other students and several of his fraternity brothers. He graduated in 1970. With his education behind him Max was fully equipped to own his own business. With that in mind he bought McGraw Tire Company in Muskegon. Max later worked as a salesman at ABC Warehouse until he retired in 2010. He also kept busy golfing, bowling, and playing cribbage in addition to playing and coaching fast pitch softball. Additionally, Max was an original member of the Northern Michigan Bridge League. Throughout his life Max was very close to his family. He was even the godfather to his sister Janes two daughters, Krista and Kendra. Max was close to all of his other nieces and nephews, too, including Ryan, Katie, Natalie, Reilly, Vinnie, Jerry, Sara, Daniel, and Brett. He made sure that he was always there for their many birthday parties over the years. Maxs family and friends would say that his pizza skills were second to none as his homemade pizza earned him the nickname uncle pizza. He was also the one who played Santa for Christmas every year at his sister Debbies house. Life was not without challenges for Max, but he faced whatever came his way with strength and courage. He was always very close with his mother, which is why he had such a hard time with her death in 2001. It was equally difficult for Max when his stepfather also died in 2005 as they were very close as well. He underwent double hip replacement surgery in 2009, but he didnt let it get the best of him. Max continued to do many of the things he enjoyed like gambling at the casinos and going to several of his beloved Detroit and Michigan State University games, which he enjoyed throughout his life. He also took a memorable trip to Chicago for Ryan and Stacys wedding where he burned up the dance floor well into the night. Max always had a sweet tooth, especially for chocolate of any kind. He recently celebrated his 65 birthday alongside numerous family members and friends at a party. A highlight of the evening was when Max serenaded the party with his fraternity theme song. We will remember Max Blue Bluhm for his sensitive side, his competitive spirit, and his intelligence, stubborn streak, and timeless wisdom, but it will be the love he freely gave that will be his lasting legacy. He told the best stories and had a contagious zest for life that never grew dim as well as an everlasting dedication to his family. Life will never be the same without Max here, but the lives of countless others will be forever changed because of his touch. Max V. "Blue" Bluhm died Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Maxs family includes his brothers, Kurt (Terri) Bluhm of GA, Kim (Jayne) Radke of TX; sisters, Debbie (Dan) Baglien of Muskegon, Mary Jane (Bruce) Peterson of Muskegon, Pam (Jerry) Kuziak of Belleville; several nieces and nephews and a host of close friends. Max was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon officiating. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery. Visit with Maxs family and friends on Friday, 6-8 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorials can be made to: MSU Dept. of Horticulture 740 Bridgeview Bay Lane Muskegon,MI 49441. Please make payable to Debbie Baglien.