Max Douglas Nicholl

Max Douglas Nicholl, age 83, a lifelong Caseville resident, died suddenly Thursday, July 21, 2005 at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon.

Max was born in Caseville on September 8, 1921 to the late E.K. and Myrtle E. (Parks) Nicholl. He graduated from Bay Port High School in 1939. In 1942 Max and his brother W. Robert took over their father’s business, Caseville Lumber, which their father had begun in 1932. Max entered the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 serving in World War II. In 1958 Max and his brother purchased and operated for many years the Pigeon Lumber Company.

Max married Doris C. Smith of Detroit on October 28, 1972 at Our Lady of Lorretto Catholic Church in Redford. Max was a member of the Caseville Eagles #3690, Caseville American Legion Jean Post #543, Knights of Columbus #8042, and St. Roch Catholic Church where he had served as an usher. Having lived in Caseville his whole life, he was frequently consulted on matters historical for the area and had been involved with the Caseville Historical Society. He enjoyed watching baseball, and when he was younger he had played on the Caseville Village team. In Max’s death, Caseville has lost a longstanding and active pillar of the community and an important link to its past.

Max is survived by his wife Doris; son Joseph (Meg) of Caseville; grandchildren Joseph II and Dani of Caseville; sister Bernadine (Ray) Winkel of Otsego and sister-in-law Virginia Nicholl of Caseville; and seven nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother W. Robert Nicholl.

A funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville, with Fr. Ken Yaroch presiding. Burial with military honors will be in St. Roch Cemetery.

Visitation will be 12:00 Noon - 6:00 PM Sunday at St. Roch Catholic Church and 12:00 Noon-8:00 PM Monday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville. There will also be visitation from 9:00 AM Tuesday until the time of Mass at the church. There will be a scripture service at the funeral home at 7:00 PM Monday.

Memorials may be made to the St. Roch Building Fund or the Caseville Schools.