Gerald (Gerry) Mason departed to his heavenly home on December 26, 2010 in St. Johns Regional Health Center, Springfield, Mo.
He was born on April 9, 1922 to Archie and Anna Davis Mason. He married Betty Thompson on May 17, 1941. To this union two children were born, Gary L. Mason and LuAnn Mason Blankenship. After the death of Betty he married Meck (Mecky) Wayland in l969. He was married to Mecky for 33 years. She preceded him in death in 2002. He was a long time resident of Rogersville, Mo., but had lived in the Springfield community for the past 25 years.
G.B. served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He held the rank of Staff Sergeant, and was always happy to say that he lived in the greatest country in the world. After his service in the military in 1945, he entered the rock quarry business and was responsible for supplying most of the rock for many major highways in our area. He was a man who was respected by his family, community and friends. He will be remembered for the honorable way he lived his life, his honesty, and for his great work ethic.
He was a man who loved to joke and gave many of his grandkids nicknames. He loved his family greatly; they always looked up to him and many times asked his counsel on matters.
He was also preceded in death by his son, Gary Mason; five brothers, Glen, Vern, Ernest, Purd and Leo; and one sister, Ellie Linebough; sons-in-law, Ambrose Broyles and Roy Werner, and a great-grandson, Cody Hackler. One sister, Wilma Raper, survives him, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his daughters, LuAnn Blankenship and husband Jerry, Shirley Wayland Hackler and her husband Dr. Richard Hackler; and Donna Wayland Broyles Werner; 6 grandsons, Matthew Mason of Fulton, Mo., and Shane Mason of Kansas City, Mo., Gregory Hackler, Billy Hackler, Reuel Broyles, and Zach Blankenship; 3 granddaughters Lisa Hackler Dunton, Rachel Broyles Plotner and Leslie Hackler Whitehead; 21 great-grandchildren, Curt Plotner, Caleb Plotner, Colby Plotner, Clay Plotner, Lindsey Hackler Lipe, Jordan Hackler, Hannah Hackler, Drew Dunton, Allie Dunton, Cheyanne Broyles, Audrey Broyles, Ambrose Broyles, Olivia Broyles, Lydia Mason, Dakota Mason, Corrinn Mason, Grady Mason, Seth Mason, Garrett Mason, Zach Blankenship, and his name sake Mason Whitehead.
He will truly be missed by his family and friends but there is rejoicing in heaven today, because he is there.
Services will be under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North with Rev. Jim White officiating on December 30, 2010 at 1 P.M. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be December 29, 2010 from 6 to 8 P.M. in Greenlawn North.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.