Maximino Rios, Jr., 88, of Appleton, WI, passed away unexpectedly on May 26, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Hospital surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. Known for his quick wit, infectious laughter, stubbornness, “iron finger/the claw”, stories of his travels & adventures, and in his later years his calls to the helpdesk; his legacy will live on by those he befriended and loved him. Born on June 9, 1937, on a US Army base in the Philippines, he was the son of Master Sargent Maximino & Mildred Rios.
A graduate from Mt Vernon High School, Max proudly served in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1967. During his service he achieved the rank of RDSN-2nd Class. His military career brought him to ten different counties, serving on: U.S.S. Drum SS 228, U.S.S. Okinawa LPH-3, U.S.S. Chilton APA-38, U.S.S. Uvalde AKA-88, U.S.S. Archerfish, El Toro SS 422, and U.S.S. Irex SS 482; and awards include National Defense Ribbon and Armed Forces Expeditionary Service medals.
Professionally, he was a mainframe computer programmer for 35 years, respected by his colleagues for his work ethic and integrity. His career took him around the globe to 14 different countries before his retirement. In his later years, Max worked for Aurora Bay Medical Center as a lab courier which kept him youthful.
A lover of music, Max played the trumpet early in life and would cheerfully sing (in/out of tune) on road trips, in the store, or in his chair. He was an avid collector and builder of model railroads, specifically Pennsylvania Railroad (PPR) and after many years of searching found his coveted Wonder Bread Center Flow Hopper Train Car! Max enjoyed his annual trip to the Dayton Train Show followed by a steak dinner at the Pine Club until his health made travel difficult.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Susan (Perry) Rios; his children, Robin (Arno) Wainikainen, Maximino (Nadine) Rios III, Micah Rios, and Kendra Rios; and his grandchildren, Z Christian McLatcher, Daniel Wainikainen, Paige Rios, and Cindy Wainikainen; and several great-grandchildren; and his sisters Nancy Holcombe and Becky Baumgartner; and many sisters/brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents M Sgt Maximino & Mildred Rios; daughter Dana McLatcher; sister Dolores Robertson, brother-in-law(s) Floyd Robertson and Lee Holcombe; a nephew Lee Holcombe Jr.; and a niece Patricia Brown.
A memorial service for Maximino will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at BRETTSCHNEIDER TRETTIN NICKEL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 606 N Oneida Street, Appleton. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment with military honors will be scheduled at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association in memory of Max Rios.
The family would like to thank Dr. Marada, the additional doctors and nursing staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital for the great care, dignity, and compassion they gave to Max.
Taps
Day is done
Gone the sun,
From the Lakes,
From the hills,
From the sky,
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh.
Fading light
Dims the sight
And a star
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
