ELMER OLAN "MAX" SNELLING

Elmer Olan "Max" Snelling, 81, of Richmond, MO died Monday, November 28, 2016 at North Kansas City Hospital, North Kansas City, MO.

He was born on April 7, 1935 in Camden, MO to Ralph Moody and Julia (Blount) Snelling. He married the love of his life, Huetta "Lee" Smith of Richmond on January 25, 1960. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include; one son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Rebecca Snelling of Denver, CO; two daughters and one son-in-law, Janie and Ronnie Williams of Orrick, MO and Sara Kotthoff of St. Louis, MO; 6 grandchildren, Shelby Sanderson, Claire Snelling, Monique Welker, Robert Welker, Michael Kotthoff and Daniel Kotthoff; 7 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 5 brothers and 6 sisters.

Elmer served 20 years in the US Army, including Korea and Vietnam. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW. He has served on the Honor Guard for the last 13 years. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time with family, fishing and firearms.

Honorary pallbearers are Robert Welker, Michael Kotthoff, Daniel Kotthoff, Thaddeus Wilson, Monique Welker and Shelby Sanderson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the American Legion Post 237.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Richmond Memory Gardens Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the Ray County Veterans.  Following the service there will be a luncheon provided by the American Legion Auxiliary at the Ray County Veteran's Building on Clark Street, Richmond.  On line condolences maybe left on our website at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com