John Max Marcus, age 66, of Silver Creek Road in Mill Spring passed away on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 at Pardee Hospital.

A native of Haywood County, he had resided in New York City before retiring to Polk County in 2005. He was the son of the late Johnny and Sybil Wiggins Marcus.

Max graduated from Andrews University and the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, where he earned his master’s degree. He retired as an assistant superintendent from the New York City public school system and was a member of Arden Seventh Day Adventist Church. Max enjoyed gardening and his dogs.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jo Marcus; two sons, Second Lieutenant Joshua Marcus, stationed at Ft. Bragg, and Zachary Schriner of Columbus, Ohio; and two brothers, David Marcus and his wife, Wanda, of Waynesville, N.C., and Fred Marcus of Las Vegas, Nevada.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville, N.C. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at Arden Seventh Day Adventist Church, 35 Airport Road, with pastor Jim Hakes officiating.

Memorials may be made to Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Md. 20904 (www.adra.org) or Army Scholarship Foundation, 11700 Preston Road, Suite 660-301, Dallas, Texas 75230.

For those who desire, an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.