John Wayne Mason

29, 2024.

He was born to Herbert A. and Florence V. (Dhom) Mason on May 24, 1952. He joined siblings

Herbert, Robert, and Carol, followed by Jean and Steve a few years later.

He was a graduate of the West Vigo High School class of 1970, and graduated from Indiana State

University in 1975 with a degree in Geography/Geology.

On April 28, 1984, he was united in marriage to his (former) wife, Elaine. They owned and operated

Advanced Keystrokes, a typesetting service, for many years out of their home on South 4th Street.

John was a nature lover through and through. He was never happier than when he was outside, whether

searching for fossils at the lake or wandering through the woods at the property where he and his then wife built a cabin.

He loved mushroom hunting and made the best mushroom gravy. And pizza!

His love of antiques led to his collecting and restoring penny arcade games, restoring and adding to the

Marx train set he had received as a child, as well as what was probably his favorite pastime of all:

metal detecting. He kept a catalog of his finds, his best being a small coin purse with four coins from

the 1800's tucked inside. His underwater detector was probably his most prized possession. He was also

an avid photographer, flowers being his favorite subject. He was soft-hearted, an animal lover, a

NASCAR fan, and spent many, many a night at his parents watching Larry play for the Celtics! (It was

his Mom who was the loudest fan on those nights.)

John's parents owned and operated Southlake Beach Resort in West Terre Haute and it was a huge part

of John's life, it being where he was raised. He managed the lake in later years and it's a sure bet there

are more than a few people reading this who will remember John at the gate or on the lifeguard tower,

or from the dances held on the rooftop. John later went on to become a proud process server for the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department.

John was pre-deceased by his parents and siblings Robert Mason and Carol Scott.

He is survived by siblings Herbert (Laura) Mason, Jean (Norman) Cottrell and Steve Mason. In-laws

who survive are Nancy Mason and Terry Scott. He also leaves behind nieces and nephews Michelle

(Scott) Slisher, Paul Mason, Eric (Tiffani) Mason, Angela (Andrew) Clingan, Brian (Jennifer)

Stockwell, Heather (Jim) Klepinger, Adam (Katlyn) Scott, and Jason (Michelle) Scott;

plus several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

John, may your heaven be filled with good metal-detecting spots! Rest in peace.

Visitation will be held at Roselawn Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 from 4PM to 6PM and Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 11AM to 1PM with services to be held at 1PM on December 4th.

Fond memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net.