89, of Galesburg, IL died at 7:30 PM Tuesday August 14, 2007, in Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
He was born June 20, 1918, in the County of Henderson in Rosetta Township, Illinois the only son of Claude Jacob and Nellie Gertrude Maxwell Stubbs. He married Mary Francis Sherriff on June 27, 1942 in Sharon, PA. She survives.
Also surviving are three sons: Charles (wife Kathy) Stubbs of Fripp Island, SC, Gerald (wife Diane) Stubbs and Donald (wife Di) Stubbs, both of Gambrills, MD, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Max graduated from Galesburg High School in 1936 and Knox College in 1940, where he majored in the social sciences and participated in the ROTC program. In June of 1940 he was commissioned and ordered to active duty where he was assigned to Selfridge Field. In 1942 he joined the 34th Squadron and participated in its move from Australia to Taloki in New Guinea. In May 1943, he served as the original group supply officer for the 475th Fighter group. It was during this assignment that he shared tent space with Charles Lindburgh and his commanding officer, Charles H. McDonald, a top fighter pilot in WWII. Max and his family served at many Air Force locations in his thirty-year career. Their last overseas tour was in Japan where Col. Stubbs served as Chief of Staff of the 5th Air Force and was involved in the US response to the seizure of the Pueblo. He retired from the Air Force on February 1, 1970 after 30 years of service. In retirement, Max managed the family farm in Rosetta Township.
He received the following awards and honors: the Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf clusters; the Bronze Star for valor; the Army and Air Force Commendation Medals; the Phillippine liberation medal; the Pacific Campaign medal; the American Defense Service medal; the American Camp medal; the DUC with 4 Oak Leaf Cluster; and the WWII Victory medal.
He was a member of the V.F.W. #2257 and a former President of the Air Force Association. He was also member of the Knox 50 Year Club and a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 AM Saturday August 18, 2007 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. The Rev. David Parker will officiate. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Friday August 17, 2007 at the Chapel. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites by Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285. Memorials can be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Knox College. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.