Max Eugene Amrine

Max Eugene Amrine, age 81, of Marysville, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at home with his family at his bedside. Visitation will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Underwood Funeral Home followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. with military honors provided by the Union County Military Funeral Honor Guard and officiated by Pastor Dan Holbrook, a dear family friend.

Max was born February 27, 1943 in Marion, Ohio, to the late William Lowell “Shorty” and Doshia “Pauline” Gambill Amrine. He was a 1961 graduate of Marysville High School, attended Grossmont College in El Cajon, California, and in 1981, received his undergraduate degree in Tax Preparation and Counseling from National University in San Diego.

Max was a proud veteran of the US Navy. He enlisted in June 1961 and trained at Naval Station Great Lakes. Some of his duty stations were the Naval Station in Adak, Alaska; onboard the USS Conflict (MSO-426) in Long Beach, California (where he met the love of his life, Karen); Naval Ship Repair Facility of Guam; Instructor at advanced Radioman School in San Diego; Naval Communications Station, Guam; USS Duluth (LPD-6) in San Diego, California; and retired from the service in 1981 as Senior Chief Radioman (RMCS) at SIMA San Diego.

After retirement from active duty, the family returned to his hometown of Marysville. He worked for Toledo Scale (now Mettler Toledo) in the finance department for seven years; then in 1989, he worked at Belmar Parts Industries, Inc. (now Honda Transmission Mfg) where he was a Senior Manager of Finance until his retirement in 2004. Before retiring, he started Max Amrine Tax Service, Inc. out of his home and operated his business for more than 15 years. To further serve his community, he provided free tax services to military veterans and traveled to homebound clients without charge.

Max was instrumental in converting girls’ slow-pitch softball into fast pitch league play in central Ohio. From 1983 to 1995, he coached the summer Milford Center/Fairbanks team; and, along with his softball coach colleagues and supporters, established the Heart of Ohio Girls Softball Association, Inc. (fondly known as the “HOGS”) in 1987. Since its inception, more than 2,300 young women have played for the organization and Max was very proud of the young women who played for him.

During their retirement years, Max and his wife, Karen, lived in Anthem, Arizona. They loved traveling in their RV all over the country with their beloved canine companion, Ridge. Max had a special affinity for visiting presidential libraries, and all things historical.

He and his family were longtime members of Marysville First United Methodist Church. He was also a member of American Legion Union Post 79 in Marysville where he served as finance officer, 40 et 8, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), AmVets, and was a former Union County Veterans Service Commissioner. Max was honored to have been chosen to join fellow veterans on the Honor Flight Columbus in 2021 to Washington DC.

With a passion for genealogy and Amrine history, his family was inducted into First Families of Ohio of the Ohio Genealogical Society and the Union County Pioneers of the Union County Genealogical Society, of which he was a life member. Max was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and was proud that his daughters and grandchildren followed his legacy also becoming members of SAR and DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).

Max enjoyed all sports, especially playing golf; however, his love of Ohio State athletics was unsurpassed. Upon retiring from Honda Transmission, he was awarded a permanent placard at the Ohio State University Stadium. He also loved playing euchre, hearts and pinochle with family and friends. But above all, he was a deeply devoted husband, father and grandfather and dearly loved supporting his daughters’ activities and his grandchildren.

Max is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Karen Marie Speck Amrine, whom he married December 24, 1965 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, California; his daughters, Michelle Lee Amrine of Columbus and her children, Ryan and Lauryn, and Nicole Lynn (Patrick) Lietz of Dublin and her children, Nicholas, Hannah and Owen; two sisters-in-law, Carola (Denis) Anderson and Vickie (Ben) Standefer; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn Amrine and Jerry Hardacre; a brother-in-law, Robert Curry; and a sister-and brother-in-law, Valerie Speck and Ronald Poulin.