Bloomington, IN - BLOOMINGTON - Max Edward Pinkerton, 90, died February 17, 2026, at home.

He was born in Huntington, Indiana, September 20, 1935, to William Edward and Berneice Elizabeth Pinkerton. He married Barbara McIntosh July 6, 1957, in Camby, Indiana. She survives along with their children Richard Pinkerton and wife Svetlana, Cincinnati; Joyce Downing and husband Jay, Alpine, Texas; Jane Pilgrim and her husband Kevin, Bloomington, Indiana; and Jennifer Pinkerton, Bloomington, Indiana; and grandchildren Aleksandra Deevi and husband Santosh; Christopher Pinkerton, Nicholas Pinkerton, Emma Downing, Anna Downing, Samantha Pilgrim, Maris Pilgrim, and Ursula Pinkerton.

A graduate of Huntington High School in 1953 and of Indiana University in 1957, Max worked for Indianapolis Power and Light as a pioneer computer programmer until 1962 when he went to work in Terre Haute for the Columbia Record Club (later Columbia House). While there he earned an MBA at University of Illinois. He worked at the company for 30 years, retiring as the operations manager of the Terre Haute plant and as Vice President of Operations for the company at large.

He retired in 1992 and enjoyed winters in Florida and many fishing trips to Canada with friends and family. He was an ardent genealogist and enjoyed gardening for many years.

Max will be cremated and buried in Bloomington with a memorial for family later.

Memorial gifts in Max's memory may be given to the First United Methodist Church in Brazil or Wheeler Mission in Bloomington.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at:

www.DayDeremiahFrye.com