LinCo Coffee Services Founder Passes

Aug. 25, 2014

Max W. Linneweber, 76, died August 6, at 9:46 a.m. at St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville.Born Feb. 18, 1938, in Freelandville, he was the son of Irvin and Ilma (Groteguth) Linneweber. He graduated from Freelandville High School in 1956. He married Vera (Witsman) Linneweber August 18, 1956, and she survives.

Max worked for 20 years at Beatrice Foods, Meadow Gold Dairy Division. He was the youngest person to receive the President's Honor Award from Beatrice Foods, the highest ranking company award, in 1968 and again in 1974 when he became the only person to win the award twice. Max was given the honor to speak at the company's National Sales Convention in 1975. In 1976 he retired as general sales manager of the Midwest Division.After Max retired he moved his family back home to Indiana, but instead of returning to Knox County he settled in Washington. In 1978 he founded LinCo Coffee Services as a sole proprietorship in the family's garage and developed the signature LinCo "Founders Blend" coffees. The one-man operation eventually expanded to LinCo Services Inc. to service customers throughout the Midwest, with sales topping $20 million per year and over 70 employees. During that time of tremendous growth, Max also served as a two-term Daviess County Councilman. After 31 years of providing good paying jobs to hard working people, LinCo closed in 2009; however, the LinCo Coffee line is still available today. 

Surviving in addition to his wife Vera are his children, who were privileged to have the opportunity to work for him; Greg (Cathy) Linneweber of Vincennes and their children Travis (Meghan) of Irvine, California, and Ronelle of Vincennes; daughter, Lori (Jeff) Reed of Washington and their children Tyler, Nora Brooke and Colton, all of Washington; and Jan (Brian) Linneweber-Ellerman of Washington and their children Kaelani Rae and Alexander of Washington. Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, Grayson and Lauren Linneweber; two sisters, Bertha Conrad and Agnes Lee, both of Vincennes; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, a brother, Robert Linneweber, and sister, Marilyn Johnanningsmeier.

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