Obituaries

“They don’t make ‘em like they used to…” Normally, that phrase is about cars or washing machines. But today, the words refer to one of the best husbands, dads, grandpas, and friends a person could hope for—Bradley “Max” Hinerman. He left this world on Monday, September 28, 2026, with the people he loved around him, and he left this world so much better than he found it.

Max, as he was called by everyone who knew him well (and Bradley by those who didn’t), was born April 15, 1937, in Coburn, West Virginia. He was the only child of Bruce and Edith Bradley Hinerman. His heart thrived in simplicity. Born and raised in the neck of the woods where people value hard work and genuineness, Max lived out those beliefs every day. Max graduated from Pine Grove High School in 1955 and discovered the beautiful balance between contentment and ambition. He could be at home in a tiny house with a stove, bed, and a chair—no curtains or fancy amenities required. He was happy anywhere he had a place to lay his head and the girl of his dreams at his side.

One night, one glance across the dance floor changed his life forever, and the boy from Coburn became the boy who would do anything to win the heart of the one he called “Tiny.” On February 15, 1957, he married Loretta Louise Lyons, and the opening chapter of a love story that covered 69 years was written.

Max was never one to let moss grow under his feet, and before long he was diving headfirst into adventures that would provide for his growing family and challenge his innate desire to succeed at anything he set his mind to. He started his career at a steel mill in Madison, Ohio, then in strip mining. It was during this time in his life that he discovered his passion for operating heavy equipment, and he joined the Operating Engineers. Always striving to accomplish more, Max started his own excavation business, Hinerman Excavating, while working for the Sun Valley PSD. He ran the business for 25 years before passing it on to one of his sons.

Although Max was no stranger to hard work, he also loved to play hard. Max and Loretta had five children, and one of their favorite things to do was camping. The Hinerman camping trips were epic, with redwood furniture strategically placed in the back of a pickup truck and covered with a camper top so that the entire family could stretch out and enjoy the ride all the way across the United States to see Yellowstone Park. There were family beach trips in their camper, with the boys sleeping on lounge chairs and on blankets under the stars. There were hurricanes and tornadoes to contend with, but knowing they had Max, a dad who would move heaven and earth and fight a tornado for them, turned a disaster into a precious memory.

Another one of Max’s passions was his antique cars. He collected several Model As and traveled with Loretta and his Model A Club friends on dozens of car tours. A rite of passage for every grandchild was riding in the rumble seat of his Model A in the Clarksburg Christmas parade. His favorite car was the red ‘28 Ford that still sits in the garage, waiting for the next adventure.

A strong work ethic was not the only thing that defined Max Hinerman. He built his life on two equally solid foundations: faith and family. Max attended Mt. Hope United Methodist Church for many years, where he taught Sunday School and served in several church offices. He also attended Calvary United Methodist Church, Lifepointe Church, and Sardis Baptist Church. He had a love for God’s word. When he couldn’t hold the Bible steady enough to read, he found a way to listen to scripture on his phone. You couldn’t be around Max for long without feeling a power that only comes from being in the presence of God.

Max loved his family, and sacrifice was a word he knew well because that’s what his life was built on. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Edith Bradley Hinerman; his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Thelma Junkins Lyons; his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Dottie Lyons; a nephew, Raymond Buller. He leaves behind his precious wife, Loretta Louise Lyons Hinerman; sons Robert Bruce Hinerman (Beverly); Bradley Keith Hinerman (Kimberly); Steven Ray Hinerman (Melissa); daughters Tina Louise Matthey (Michael); Stacey Dawn Harman (Bryan); 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; Faye Ann Gore (Bill), who was like a sister to Max; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The next time someone says, “they don’t make ‘em like they used to,” you can wholeheartedly agree. There will never be another Bradley Max Hinerman.

Family and friends may call at Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street Nutter Fort, on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, where the funeral service will be held on Saturday October 3, 2026, at 11:00 am with Steve Hinerman presiding. Interment will follow at Marshville Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.