Max Henrichs Schrader

Max Henrichs Schrader, 82, of Manila, passed from this life early Thursday, May 5, 2011, at his home. Born at Scotch Grove, Iowa (Wayne Township) he was the son of the late Albert and Mabel Henrichs Schrader and had been a Manila resident for most of his life. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army Air Corps assigned to Tempelhof Air Force Base in Berlin, Germany, where he was a flight controller during the Berlin Air Lift. He received two appointments to West Point Academy and competed in the Army and Navy Olympic Field Trials.

Mr. Schrader received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas where he also met his future wife of 59 years, Betty Jean "B. J." Fleeman of Manila. While at SMU he was an instructor for the Air ROTC and played trumpet in the ROTC band. After graduation he became a registered civil engineer in both Texas and Arkansas and later graduated from bankers college in Dallas and began his career in banking. He served as Executive Vice-President and CEO of the Merchants and Planters Bank in Manila for over 40 years. He also served as Secretary of the Arkansas Bankers Association and presided over the ABA Agriculture Conference as well as the 99th ABA convention where former President Jimmy Carter was the guest speaker.

As Vice President of Manila Industrial Development Commission he strived to bring industry to Manila and was presented the Arkansas Community Development Award of Exceptional Accomplishment by then-Governor Bill Clinton. A member of the Manila Lions Club since 1961, he held many offices within the organization including District Deputy and District Governor. Max especially enjoyed the Lions Club activities such as annual horse shows and pancake suppers. Max and B.J. supported the Manila School System by sponsoring the E. C. Fleeman Scholarship and the E. C. Fleeman High School Golf Tournament. He and B. J. were also instrumental in establishing the Boy and Girl Scouting programs in Manila. He was a member of the Hi-Roller BBQ team and cooked for former President George W. Bush and was also a Charter member of both the Big Lake Country Club and the Big Lake Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

Mr. Schrader loved his wife, daughters, and family and enjoyed taking care of his yard, wood working, hunting, reading, music and dancing. He had been a member of the Lutheran Church in Blytheville for over 50 years and also attended First United Methodist Church in Manila. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Rex Schrader.

He leaves four daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Jimmy Adams of Manila, Cindy Schrader Dougherty and her husband, Russell, of Jonesboro, Cortnee and Jim Church of Charleston, S.C., and Carla and Kenny Moore of Jonesboro;

Six grandchildren, Gene Adams, Jeremy Adams, Allison Church, Elizabeth Church, Stephen Moore and Taylor Moore;

Four great-grandchildren, Anna Grace, Mattie Claire, Pierce and Beckett Adams;

A brother, Jon Schrader and his wife, Ann, of Monticello, Iowa; and

A brother-in-law, Jim Cheadle of Manila.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Manila with the Rev. Jerry Pentecost officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Manila Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Manila. Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila. The family prefers memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church in Manila or the Lutheran Church in Blytheville. A guest register is available @www.HowardFuneralService.com