Max V. Snodgrass of Iola died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Windsor Place in Iola. He was born Nov. 16, 1929, in Isabel, Kan., to Leslie R. and Lillie L. (Lefever) Snodgrass. He moved with the family to Allen County in 1932, attending the Iola schools and graduating from Iola High School in 1948. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. He married Bernadene Foster Weast in 1961.
In 1955 he was employed by Clark & Routh CPAs. He became managing partner of Cartright, Routh & Clark in 1966, and the firm became Snodgrass, Routh & Clark. He became a CPA in 1972. The name of the firm became Snodgrass, Dunlap & Company in 1981. He retired as managing partner in 1995 and continued to work part time for the firm and its successor Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, until October of 2011, when health issues forced him to fully retire.
He served as president of various organizations including, the Iola Jaycees, the Iola Chamber of Commerce, and the Iola Rotary Club. Max served as chairman of the fund drive of the Friends of the Bowlus 1998-2001. He served on the board of directors of the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants and held various offices including president in 1987-1988.
He had been very active with Iola Industries Inc., serving on its board of directors and as its president from 1994 to 2005. More recently he served as co-trustee of R E French Family Educational Foundation, Gridley.
He was a member of First Christian Church of Iola and had served as a deacon, elder, treasurer, chairman of the board, and as a trustee for several years.
Hobbies he enjoyed were photography and woodworking. He had an extensive camera collection and was always happy to share his slides with the community. He crafted many treasures for his friends and family that will forever be cherished. He also loved traveling with his wife and taking camping trips with his family; and, as anyone who met Max knows, he had a one of a kind smile that could light up any room.
He is survived by his wife, Bernadene; a daughter, Pamella Snodgrass Blair, and husband Robert of Boulder City, Nev., a son, Vernon Snodgrass, and wife Christy of Augusta, a son, Randy Weast, and wife Jane of Overland Park, and a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Weast, of Wichita; 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. He leaves one sister, Vada Aikens, Humboldt. Preceding him in death were his parents, Leslie and Lillie Snodgrass; his son, Roger Weast, and his two brothers, Dale Snodgrass and Leslie Snodgrass, Jr.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Christian Church, 1608 Oregon Rd., in Iola, with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery. Memorials to the First Christian Church of Iola or to the Friends of the Bowlus may be left with the funeral home. Go to www.feuerbornfuneral.com to leave a condolence online.
