BIOGRAPHY
of
LEROY JOSEPH MAST
s/o John L. Mast and Mary Ann Burkholderof
LEROY JOSEPH MAST
His Story and Family
LEROY JOSEPH MAST, was the eldest son of s/o John L. Mast and Mary Ann Burkholder. He was born 21 January 1933 in Nappanee, Kosciusko County, Indiana. He was reared in the Amish community of northern Indiana.
At draft age of 21 years of age, he was a Conscientious Objector based upon his religious upbringing and beliefs. For his service duty, he was sent to St. John's Hickey Memorial Hospital in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana where he met and dated Mary Sandra Iris Barbara Shields.
Soon after this photo was taken Leroy joined the U. S. Army and went off to basic training and eventually was sent to Korea.
Upon returning home, he married 25 June 1960 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana to Sandra.
Sandra, Roy & far right, Rita Marie (Lehmann) Shields (bride's mother)
Backs to camera: Roy's parents, John L. Mast and Mary Ann (Burkholder) Mast and Roy's brother, Marvin Mast, congratulate the couple.
Soon after they moved to Alexandria, Virginia. Here their two children were born...namely, Michael Joseph Mast and Annette Marie Mast. Here Roy learned metal fabrication. Here they lived for a number of years before returning to Indiana.
Upon returning to Indiana, they moved to the Indianapolis area, and eventually purchased a home and reared their family in the city of Lawrence, Marion County, Indiana. Here for 38 more years, Roy continued his work as a metal fabricator. He retired from B & B Welding.
Roy and Sandra were members of St. Lawrence Catholic Church where they were active participants in many of the church's activities. Here they renewed their vows in 2000 at the time of their 40th Wedding Anniversary and received the Church's special blessing.
Celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary
June 25, 2000
In 2000, Sandra found she had breast cancer, which spread rapidly throughout her body. She passed away 2 December 2002 at Community North Hospital of Indianapolis. After her decease, Roy lived as a widower until he, too, discovered in 2008 that he suffered from lung, bone and brain cancer and died at his home in Lawrence. In death, they are interred side by side at the Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Indianapolis (near Fishers), Hamilton County, Indiana.
Leroy J. Mast 76 passed away Friday, August 21, 2009. Leroy was a veteran of US Army. He retired from B&B Welding in 1998 after 38 years as a Metal Fabricator. Leroy was preceded in death by his wife Sandra Mast. He is survived by his children Michael (Micke) Mast Sr., and Annette (John) Looney, 3 grandchildren, 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Mass of Celebration will be held on Monday, August 24, 2009 at 10 am from St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Visitation will be Sunday, August 23, 2009 from 3-8 pm at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center – Lawrence, 5215 N. Shadeland Ave. |
At his graveside services Roy's sisters and his sisters-in-law meet and greet each other, as all say their final farewells.
Back: Margo, Mike, Annette, John, Mike, Mickie
Front: Roy, Sandra, Mindy
Christmas, 2000
Mike and Mickie
Celebrating his parents' 40th Wedding Anniversary
Annette and John
Celebrating her parents' 40th Wedding Anniversary