Richard E. Mason, 89, Enjoyed Model Car Collecting and Woodworking

He was born in Lorain on June 15, 1931 to the late Joseph A. and Helen V. (nee Molnar) Mason.

In his free time, Richard enjoyed model car collecting, woodworking, camping at Clare Mar Lakes and making his famous hot sausage. He was a parishioner of St. Mary Catholic Church.

He had formerly been employed by the Freuhauf Trailer Company in Avon Lake until the time of its closure; he subsequently attended Lincoln Electric School of Welding. He went on to work at the American Ship Building Company as a welder and, later, as a security guard. Richard continued his career in security working at Community Health Partners / Saint Joseph Hospital until the time of his retirement in 2006.

A 1947 graduate of Lorain High School, he went on to serve four years as a mechanic in the United States Air Force; he fulfilled duty assignments attached to the 581st Air Resupply Squadron during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in both the Philippines and Okinawa, Japan. He was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal, the United Nation’s Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Richard was a life member of both American Legion Post # 30 of Lorain as well as Amvets Post # 22 of Vermilion.

Upon his discharge from the military and return to Lorain he met and married his wife of sixty-three years Sally A. (nee Barnicle)

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his four loving daughters Linda West (Michael) of Vermilion, Kathleen Kramer of Sheffield, Sharon Cooke (Christopher) of Lorain, and Michelle Cagle (the late Christopher) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Additional survivors include eleven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and his brother Kenneth Mason (Nancy).

Along with his parents, Richard was preceded in death by brothers Ernest, Robert, and Joseph Mason, and son-in-law Christopher Cagle.

Services of remembrance will be observed later with burial and military honors taking place in the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

Mr. Mason’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers at the Hospice of the Western Reserve for their exceptional care and support.

Contributions in his memory are encouraged to either Saint Mary’s Food Pantry or the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel. To share your memories and condolences with the Mason Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.