Max Ray Robertson

Max Ray Robertson, 83, of Berrien Springs passed away Friday, November 6, 2015 at Orchard Grove in Benton Harbor. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2015 from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. at Heritage Chapel, 8747 US 31, Berrien Springs. Burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery in South Bend, IN. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to sign Max’s guestbook may do so online at www.heritage-chapel.com Max was born on August 9, 1932 in Morris Chapel, TN to Robert & Ara (Wade) Robertson. He moved to Indiana from Tennessee in 1950 where he met Elizabeth “Betty” Kelly, the love of his life. They married in 1951 and had 2 daughters Melody & Kimberly. Kimberly passed in 1984 and Betty passed in 2012. Max was the produce manager at Kroger from 1950-1965. He won many national produce contests for his displays. He was on the Jackson Perkins rose panel to judge new varieties and colors of roses before they were sold to the public. From 1965-1978 Max was the produce manager at Thrifty Mart then promoted to district manager. From 1978-1984 Max was the Broker/Merchandiser for Sheltons. At that time Max & Betty opened a small fruit market at their home in Buchanan that Betty managed during the day. Max also started his own lawn care and snow removal business. The original Family Pear Market opened in 1983 with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kathy & Charley Hood in Berrien Springs. In 1988 the Family Pear Market moved across the street where Starks Family Funeral Home/ Heritage Chapel is now. In 1995 Max & Betty sold the store and retired. Max was a member of Twin City Baptist Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. After moving to Michigan he became a member of First Assembly of God in St. Joseph, Michigan. Max is survived by his daughter Melody Grey of Benton Harbor; grandchildren Heather (Rick) Brown of Springfield, TN, Kelly (Eric) Martin of Eau Claire, Jamie (SSG. Bobby) Smith of Fort Stewart, GA, Amber (Brandt) McCoy of Houston, TX and Sean (Kristen) Hood of Mishawaka, IN; great- grandchildren Kevin, Cody, Joshua, Dustin, Breanna, Seth, Ethan, Braelyn, Irelynn; siblings Mike (Rhonda) Robertson of Jackson, TN,  and Pat (Russ) Warren of Jackson. Max was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Kimberly Hayes; his loving wife Betty; brother Gerald Robertson, sisters; Faye Taylor, Kay Timms and Jean Gilliand and son-in-law Leon Grey.