Max Hines

Max G. Hines, 83, of Clinton, died Friday, March 30, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center – North Campus, Clinton. Services will be 11:00am, Monday, April 2, 2012 at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory with Dr. Donald Batz officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00-5:00pm at the funeral home. Following the services the body will be cremated. Private burial will be held at the Oakland Cemetery, Clinton. Max George Hines was born on January 26,1929, in Ames, Iowa, the son of Yazel "Pat" and Blanche (Smith) Hines. He married Mary Lou Butler in 1951 and later married Sharon Winger on December 21, 1974 in Ames, Iowa. Max was a 1947 graduate of Ames High School and graduated from Iowa State University with a BS degree in Industrial Education in 1951. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1951-1953. After his military service, he returned to Iowa State University and completed his MS degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1954. Max taught, was the high school guidance counselor, and coached both boys’ and girls’ golf at Decorah High School from 1954-1969. Many of those years, he also coached the men's golf team at Luther College. In 1969, Max became the first golf professional for Ames Country Club, finding the combination of a sport he loved, and still remaining a teacher, a great opportunity. Max, Sharon, and the kids moved to Clinton, Iowa in 1976 where Max continued as Clinton Country Club's golf professional until retiring for health reasons in 1992. Max's accomplishments in golf were highlighted by being named 1989 Teacher of the Year, and 1990 Professional of the Year by the Iowa PGA Section. His love of teaching helped to lead both Decorah and Clinton High School teams to state championships. Max also was a twenty year teaching consultant for the National Golf Foundation, giving clinics in the Midwest and Florida primarily for high school and college golf coaches. He twice qualified for the National PGA Senior Tournament in West Palm Beach, Florida. He also served on the board of the Iowa PGA Section. Max's great loves included fishing for bass on Florida lakes and playing his saxophone. He had his own jazz band, The Blue Notes, all through high school and college and continued to play in various bands through the 1960's. Max is survived by his wife, Sharon of Clinton, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ron and Sandra Koester of West Des Moines, Dennis and Sue Wepler of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Stephen and Wanda Winger of Decorah, Iowa; six nieces and nephews, and eight great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by best friends, Leo R. and Sheila Smith whose daughters, Lisa (Jeff) Little of Ankeny and Kelli (Brian) Uhlenkamp of Edgewood, shared the six grandchildren with Grandpa Max. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister in childhood, his son, Jeff, in 1990, and his daughter, Nancy, in 2005. Memorials may be made to the First Tee Junior Golf Program in honor of Max's accomplishments and his love of teaching young golfers or Mercy Healthcare Foundation.

Max Hines

January 26, 1929 - March 30, 2012