HOWARD LEE MASON

Howard Lee Mason, Sr., age 90, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Miller's Merry Manor, Columbia City. Born on November 9, 1919 in Fort Wayne, IN he was the son of Ray and Nellie (Morris) Mason. He attended school in Flint, IN and graduated from North Side High School in Fort Wayne. On June 14, 1941, he married Dorothy Gephart in Fort Wayne. He served in the United States Army from 1944-1946 during World War II. He lived most of his life in Fort Wayne, IN until moving to Columbia City in 1978. He moved to Noble Township, Noble County in November, 1991. In 1980, he retired from Fort Wayne Cover-All Rental Company as a sales representative. Earlier in his life, he had been employed by the Farnsworth Company and Eskay Dairy of Fort Wayne, IN. He was a member of Columbia City Post #5582 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Columbia City Post #98 American Legion and Columbia City Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge #1906.Survivors include his 2 sons, Robert Allen (Kerry) Mason of Kendallville and Howard Lee Mason, Jr. of Boulder City, NV; longtime companion, Roberta Graves of Columbia City; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Gephart, and brothers, Harold and Eugene Mason.Visitation is 4-8 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. Eagles Twilight Service on Friday, December 18, 2009 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service is Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Phil Blake officiating. Following the service, military honors will be presented by the American Legion Post#98 and VFW Post#5582. Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Mason, Sr. to Parkview Whitley Home Health & Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.