Dr. Max John

Dr. Max Welton John, age 93, of Vienna, passed from this life Thursday, November 25, 2021, in the Missouri Veterans Home, St. James. He was born July 11, 1928, in Safe, Missouri, near St. James, in Maries County, a son of Travis Earl Sr. and Grace Lillian (Manhenke) John. Max was a United States Army veteran who served during the Korean War from 1950-1952. Max was united in marriage November 15, 1952, at Vienna, to the former Miss Irene Marie Murphy, and to this union, five children were born. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1957 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and was the first graduate veterinarian in Maries County. Throughout his 40-year career as a veterinarian, he worked on large and small animals and was involved in the establishment of the South Central Livestock Market in 1975. After Max retired from his veterinary practice, he continued working at the South Central Livestock Market and the MFA Feeder Pig Sale in Westphalia. Max was an active member in his church and community, always wanting to help others. He attended Sunday school and church regularly and served on several committees. In 1971, he was one of a group of men who helped with the construction of the Vienna United Methodist Church on Highway 63. In the late 1950's, Max taught Agriculture classes at Maries R-1 school, and also served on the Maries R-1 school board in the early 1960's. He continued helping in his community after he retired by volunteering at the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Max was always thankful for what he had and wanted to do what he could to help others in his church and community. Max always worked hard, but also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, working in his garden and yard, working on crossword puzzles, watching his children and grandchildren play sports, and spending time on family vacations watching the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a devoted husband, dad, and grandpa to his family. He knew no stranger and lived out his faith daily by loving God and loving others. Max will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Those left to celebrate his life include four children: Beth Clinkenbeard and husband Gary of Vienna, Brenda Stafford and husband John of Columbia, Chris John and his wife Brenda of Vienna, and Becky Steffen and husband Greg of Vienna; nine grandchildren: Laura and Bill Patton, Rachel and Luke McKenney, Joan and Greg Dyer, Sara Stafford, Seth John, Annie John, Colin John, Jordyn Steffen, and Max Steffen; great-grandchildren: Benton Patton, Weston Patton, Grace McKenney, Max McKenney, Miles Dyer, Jacob Dyer, and Ethan Dyer; step-grandchildren: Tiffany Clinkenbeard, Ami and Danny Hartwig and family Jack, Cora, Walter, and Madison; Leslie and Brad Ream and family Trey and Abbe, Kelsie and Josh (Emmett), Haiden and Spencer (Ivy and Wynslee), Owen, and Kaden; and many other relatives and friends. Max was preceded in death by his wife Irene on April 5, 2011; one son, Scot Murphy John on December 11, 1955; his father, Travis Sr. on February 16, 1984; his mother, Grace on March 30, 1987; two brothers, Travis John Jr. on August 13, 2003, and Donald "Don" John on June 11, 2009; and son-in-law, Roger Bullock on August 10, 1981. Visitation for Dr. Max John will be held on Friday, December 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 4 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in the Vienna United Methodist Church, 104 US Highway 63, Vienna, MO 65582, with his funeral service on Saturday, December 4 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Larry Sorrells will be officiating with Rev. Karen Alden doing the eulogy under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna. A private Inurnment will be next to his beloved wife and other relatives in the Vienna Public Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers for Dr. John will be Laura Patton, Rachel McKenney, Joan Dyer, Sara Stafford, Seth John, Annie John, Colin John, Jordyn Steffen, and Max Steffen. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Dr. Max John are suggested by his family to go to the Vienna United Methodist Church or the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry with envelopes available the day of service at the Methodist Church or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582. Online condolences may be shared with the family of Dr. Max John at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com