Obituaries

Charles 'Max' Leichner

Photo of Charles 'Max' Leichner
Charles "Max" Leichner, 86, of Fayetteville passed away on April 14, 2013, at Willard Walker Hospice Home. He was born Sept. 8, 1926, in Mammoth Spring, Ark., to Conrad and Gladys Wahlquist Leichner. He was offered a basketball scholarship to the University of Arkansas, but chose to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Army on his 18th birthday in 1944, and was stationed in northern Italy until he was honorably discharged in January of 1947. He married the love of his life, Cleta McChristian, on Feb. 12, 1947. He attended Southern Baptist College, John Brown University and the University of Arkansas. He taught school in various locations in Northwest Arkansas, including Bohannan, Decatur, Wesley and Huntsville. He also coached basketball in Huntsville, but the focus of his career began in 1963 when he entered the insurance field. He spent 36 years, from 1963 to 1999, in the insurance industry. He belonged to the Church of Christ. His most precious loves in life were his wife and family. He was always there to care for and support each family member. He had a gift of making each member feel special. He also had an avid love for the Arkansas Razorback athletic programs. He closely followed Hog football, basketball and baseball. He is preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Bill Leichner of Denver, Colo., and Clyde Gahlon Leichner of Arcadia, La. He is survived by his wife, Cleta Leichner; two sons, Max Leichner Jr. and wife, Angie, of Fayetteville and Steve Leichner of Fayetteville; two daughters, Anna Morter and husband, Dr. Tom Morter, of Rogers and Lori Leichner and husband, Rick Russell, of Springdale; one brother, Henry Leichner of Wichita, Kan.; eight grandchildren, John Leichner of West Fork, Staci Sims of Rogers, Chuck Leichner of Springdale, Justin Dysart of Fayetteville, Ryan Leichner of West Fork, Dr. Sarah Rowden of Rogers, Dr. Russell Morter of Rogers and Chase Leichner of Fayetteville; and six great-grandchildren, Braxton Leichner, Mac Leichner, Garren Leichner, Morgan Freeman, Cade Leichner and Evelyn Rowden. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. at Fairview Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Pallbearers will be John Leichner, Ryan Leichner, Chuck Leichner, Chase Leichner, Dr. Russell Morter, Braxton Leichner and Mac Leichner. Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Dysart, Garren Leichner, Wayne Robbins, Doug Robbins, Dean Gilbert, Mark Leichner, Lance Leichner, Monte Leichner, Mark Maggard, Mike Maggard, Chad Maggard, Brad Robbins, Devin Sims and Dr. Josh Rowden. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Arkansas Support Network, please contact Elaine at (479) 927-4100; or the Arkansas Razorback Foundation, 1295 S. Razorback Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.

Published April 16, 2013

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