Melvin Warren Mason passed on to heaven on July 13, 2011 at the Sumner Regional Medical Center in Wellington, KS.

He was born July 20, 1923 on the family farm near Corbin, KS, and the son of Thomas Glee & Leota (Troutman) Mason. He attended Maple Hill grade school and graduated from South Haven High School. Melvin married Mary Oldenburg on April 2, 1943. The couple made their homestead northwest of South Haven where he and Mary together farmed for 47 years retiring in 1988 and moved to Wellington. Through those years on the farm he grew wheat and other grains and raised livestock as well. His wife was his constant companion, hired hand, and friend. You never saw one that the other wasn't with them.

Melvin was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wellington at the time of his passing. He was Sunday School Superintendent for many years at the South Haven United Methodist Church and held other various offices for the church. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge & Eastern Star receiving his 50 year pin. He was President of the Sumner County Farm Bureau, Chairman of the Extension Board, and a 4-H leader for many years. Melvin was also a member of the Sumner County Historical Society and the South Haven Club.

He loved the great outdoors, whether it was tilling the soil, driving down just to visit the farm or looking over the crops to see how they were growing. He always told the guys at the farm he was looking for a "farmer." Another favorite saying was "you never want to take the same road twice."

Because of his love for the outdoors, Melvin and Mary were avid campers, often going to Texas for the winter months with their camper friends. They belonged to the Chisholm Trailers and Lucky Star camping clubs for over 25 years. Even though they quit traveling they continued to go to all the meetings. Melvin and Mary traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states, countless foreign countries, and took several cruises. Melvin loved the land, life, and the Lord.

In later years he belonged to the Golden Chain Club through the Wellington Recreation Center and the Senior Citizen Center. He enjoyed delivering meals to the shut-ins for the center, playing cards, dominos, dancing, putting on skits, and the fellowship with all the senior citizens at the center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glee and Leota Mason, infant son, Melvin Jr., his brother, Marvin Mason, and daughter-in-law, Sarah Mason.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Mary of the home; son's Max Mason, Tulsa, OK and Marlin Mason, wife Sharon of South Haven, KS; daughter Marsha Mason, Wichita, KS; sister Mildred Kralicek, Independence, MO; Grandchildren, Susanne Ishee, husband John; Paula Farrell, husband Andy, both of Broken Arrow, OK; Robin Ralls, husband Jeff, Wellington, KS; Zak Heberly and Amber, South Haven, KS; Rosalind Miller, husband Darin, Derby, KS; 11 Great-Grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Wellington on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. Pastor Brent Clayton will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the Rose Hill Cemetery in South Haven, KS

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, July 15, 2011 from 1:00 – 8:00 P.M. The family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.

Memorials have been established with the South Haven Fair Association and the Sumner Regional Medical Center Endowment Fund. Contributions can be left at the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.