Max Lane Spellman, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, left this Earth to meet his Lord and Savior on Sunday evening, July 26th, 2026.

Max was born on September 18, 1931 in Springfield, Missouri to Wilbur Spellman and Alice Fern Lane. Max was a proud Navy veteran, serving his country from 1952-1955. Upon his return from service, he was told by his father about a beautiful young woman named Dottie who he regularly saw on his mail route and believed was a good fit for his son. Max set out to meet this woman, and on September 1, 1956, they became husband and wife. Max and Dottie went on to have three children, Gayla, Ronnie (wife Lisa), and Lisa; grandchildren Tania (Nathan) Wood, Brandon Jeffords, Sarah (Jarod) Stone, Jamie Butts, McKenzie Corsolini, Chastin (Alexia) McLain, Amanda (Alonzo) Conner, Chelsea Rigdon, Keri (Michael) Bosio, Matt Spellman (fiance’ Tiffany), and

Colton Spellman; great-grandchildren Hanna Parent, Kyleigh (Henry) Cameron, Reisig Stone, Brandon Kates, Ayla (Garrick) Kerr, Gavin Stone, Addilyn McLain, Emily Spellman, Trenton Wood, Colton Moody, Erilynn Rigdon, Abigail Rotramel, Adalia Rigdon, Huxley Rigdon, Coen McLain, Niylah Rigdon, Loess McLain, Flora Rigdon, Ava Bosio, Oaklee Kerr, and Harleigh Spellman; and many nieces and nephews.

Max worked as a mechanical draftsman for ACME steel from 1969 through his retirement. Max was a devoted Christian, attending and serving at Hamlin Baptist church for decades.

After 60 years of marriage, Dottie passed in June of 2016. Max married his longtime friend, Beverly, on March 31st, 2018. The two enjoyed cruising through the Bahamas and working at the car auction in his final years.

Max officially outlived Chuck Norris, and is preceded in death by his parents, Dottie, his two brothers Dan and Jim (wife Ann Spellman), his oldest daughter Gayla Douglas, and his grandson Brandon.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the staff at Cox South hospital, as well as his Culver’s and Golden Corral families, who treated him as one of their own and visited him frequently in his final days.

Visitation will take place at Hamlin Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri on Thursday July 30th, 2026 at 11am, followed by the funeral service at 12pm. Burial service will follow at the White Chapel Memorial Gardens.