John E. Mast, 85, of Nappanee, Ind., passed away peacefully at Elkhart General Hospital of a brain hemorrhage at 11:15 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013.

He was born June 20, 1927, in Thomas, Ok. He was the son of Eli J. and Anna (Yuhtzy) Mast.
On Jan. 11, 1951, John and Sarah Hochstetler were married.

John was the retired owner of John Mast Construction, assistant pastor of Maple Lawn Church, missionary at El Salvador orphanage, where he was called “Papi Juan” by orphans and many others.

To his union to Anna were born: Steven Ray, deceased; Barbara Ellen (Dan) Yoder, Ireland; Ruth Ann (John) Yoder, Bluffton, Ind.; Irma Jean (Paul) Miller, Newcomerstown, Ohio; Susan Kay (Delbert) Schlabach, Ripley, Ohio; Thomas Allen (Linda) Mast, Nappanee, Ind. Sarah died on May 11, 1967.

On March 31, 1968, John married Mabel Burkholder. Together they had a daughter: Carolyn (Daniel) Bontrager, Shipshewana, Ind. Mabel died Dec. 25, 1991.

On Jan. 9, 1993, John married Barbara L. Burkholder. They are parents to: Steven (Marilyn) Burkholder, Nappanee; Gary (Lillian) Burkholder, Rochester, Ind.; and Phyllis Burkholder, Goshen, Ind.

He is also survived by his wife: Barbara; brother: Joe E. (Ella) Mast, Chouteau, Okla.; sisters: Fannie (Crist) Miller, Mary (Merle) Overholt, both of Sarasota, Fla.; 39 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, three sisters and one brother.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, May 6, at Maple Lawn Church, 29267 CR 52, Nappanee. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, at the church. Paul E. Yoder and Daniel Bontrager will officiate.  Interment will be in Maple Lawn Church cemetery. Gary Burkholder will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be given to CICS (deaf school), El Salvador, Central America.

Arrangements are being handled by Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.