Max Roger Sweppenhiser, 82, of Herndon, died peacefully at home on Aug. 27, 2019.

He was born May 17, 1937, a son of the late Max and Marie (Wilkinson) Sweppenhiser.

Max was a 1955 graduate of Mahanoy Joint High School.

He was employed at Mandata Poultry and the Dornsife Grain Mill before returning to the family farm.

On Oct. 7, 1956, he married the former Phyllis Delp of Sunbury, and together they worked the family dairy farm for 61 years and raised 13 children.

Roger loved God, his family, and agriculture. He was honored as Conservation Farmer of the Year. His dairy was named a Dairy of Distinction, which has produced milk for millions of people.

He's survived by his wife, Phyllis; 13 children, Roger Sweppenhiser, Gary Sweppenhiser, Janet Downs, Audrey Maurer, Carol Snyder, Kim Hart, Wendy Lloyd, Betsy Schlegel, Debra Gray, Tina Carl, Julia Bingaman, Mark Sweppenhiser, and Steven Sweppenhiser; seven siblings, Richard Sweppenhiser, Joan Griffiths, Karen Eads, Sandy Morrison, Mary Eshelman, David Sweppenhiser, and Gail Thompson; 58 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Herndon Campgrove Tabernacle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Life E.C. Church, 337 Mandata Road, Herndon, PA 17830.