Max Arno Shepardson, 76, of Zephyrhills, Fla. died at 4 a.m. Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the East Pasco Gulfside Hospice Home in Dade City, Fla.

Max was born in Niles on May 15, 1933 to Fred W. and Myrtle (Hipshier) Shepardson.

He graduated from Niles High School in 1952. During his high school years he was very active in sports, participating in football and track.

On Aug. 16, 1952 in Niles at First Church of Christ, he marred the former Sandra Mae Miller. Shortly after their marriage, Max was drafted into the army and served his country in Germany. After his time in the Army, he became a Niles city policeman and retired at the rank of captain in 1984. Not one to sit around, he became chief of police for Howard Township for some time.

Max and Sandra moved to the Mill Pond area in Dowagiac and Max drove a school bus for the Dowagiac school system and made many friends there. He officially retired in 2000 and he and Sandra moved to Zephyrhills, Fla. to enjoy the warm weather. While in Florida, he took up the hobby of building and flying radio-controlled airplanes. He enjoyed many mornings in the air field flying his planes with his buddies.

Preceding Max in death are his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Greta Shepardson; brothers-in-law, Don Hartman and Dick Richards.

Surviving are his wife, Sandra, of Zephyrhills; children, Rodney (Peggy) Shephardson, of North Carolina, Debby (Archie) Barkman, of Niles, Brian Shepardson, of Niles and Diane (Pete) Adams, of Niles; a brother, Roy (Randy) Shepardson, of Vandalia; sisters, Kay Hartman and Fay Richards, of Niles; a sister-in-law, Nadine Shepardson, of Niles; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in June 2010. Max’s cremains will be interned at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens after the memorial service in June. The date, time and place will be published and the family is asking that anyone wishing to send a note or memory to the family be e-mailed to memories4max@hotmail.com.

Memorial donations may be made to Gulfside Regional Hospice Inc., 6117 Trouble Creek Rd., New Port Richey, FL 34653.