LAVERN EDWIN MASON, SR.

June 30, 1930 – March 14, 2026

BRISTOL, IN- Lavern Edwin Mason, Sr., 95, of Bristol, passed away Saturday March 14, 2026, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.  He was born June 30, 1930, in Topeka, Indiana, to James & Fannie (Swartzentruber)  Mason.

     On January 28, 1967, in Lake Odessa, MI he married Vivian B. Smith.  She preceded him in death on May 22, 2024.  Surviving are 4 children, Lola (Ray) Bedtelyon of Bristol, IN, Linda (David) Goff, Bob (Debra) Mason both of Elkhart, IN, Sharon (Kate) Grace of San Ramon, CA; numerous foster children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, 2 sons, Lavern, Jr., and Donald, a great-granddaughter, Ashlie Nicole Goff and 10 brothers and sisters.

     Lavern was employed at Square Deal Tool & Die as a Journeyman tool & die maker.  He was a member of the Bristol Missionary Church, enjoyed cooking, square dancing and spending time with his family.

     Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday March 19, 2026, at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home.  Funeral services for Lavern will take place at 1:00 p.m. Friday March 20, 2026, at the Omega Event Center, 2130 Middlebury Street, Elkhart, IN 46516.  Friends may visit with the family for 1 hour prior to the start of the service.  Pastor Earl Smith from the Bristol Missionary Church will render the service and burial will follow in Rice Cemetery; where he will be laid to rest next to his wife Vivian.

     Memorial contributions may be given to the Bristol Missionary Church, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, or to The Gideons International.