Wednesday, March 9th, 2016
The Rev. Bruce Mase
The Reverend Bruce F. Mase, Ph.D. of St. Marys, Ohio and Otterbein Retirement Community died peacefully in his room on March 7, 2016 following an extended illness.
Dr. Mase was born in Canton, Ohio on May 27, 1930 to Russell and Helen (Oberlin) Mase.
Bruce graduated in 1948 from Lincoln High School.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister.
He is survived by brothers: Jack Mase [Bentonville, AR] and Russell (Carmen) Mase [Davidson, NC]. He is also survived by: wife – Wynette Dunn Mase [St. Marys, OH] whom he married on July 20, 1990 in Berryville, AR.; step-children – Pam (Tom) Rammel [St. Marys, OH]; Donald E. Johnson, Jr. [Louisville, KY]; William F. {Derick} Johnson [St. Marys, OH]. Grandchildren – Joe (Erin) Rammel; Paul (Kylie) Rammel; Tim (Ashley) Rammel; Sam (Beth) Rammel [all of St. Marys, OH]; Sarah (Cody) Gundel and Donald {DJ} Johnson III of [Louisville, KY], and seven great-grandchildren.
Dr. Mase served as a Presbyterian minister and pastoral counselor for over 50 years – graduating from Western Seminary (Pittsburgh, PA) in 1956; receiving his doctorate in counseling from Northwestern University-Garrett Seminary (Chicago, IL) in 1971 and training from the Pastoral Counseling Institute (Athens, GA) shortly thereafter.
He served churches in Chevy Chase, MD (Washington, DC); Winnetka (Chicago), IL, where he followed Lloyd Ogilvie; Lima, OH (Market Street Presbyterian); St. Marys, OH (First Presbyterian Church); and churches in Utica and Orwell, OH in the early years out of seminary. He also did interims at St. Peter's Church (New Bremen) and Celina Presbyterian Church (Celina, OH). Bruce retired in 1997.
He loved to mentor youth and was director of youth camps in northern Ohio. Dr. Mase was especially proud to participate in the ordination of his protégé, the Reverend Kevin Lawler from St. Marys, who will soon be serving Belle Center Presbyterian.
Some highlights of Dr. Mase's life were: meeting Albert Einstein, performing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club, and subbing for Easter Streaker on her Lima, OH radio show.
Those who knew Bruce enjoyed his unique humor, profound wisdom, love, and belief in his Savior, Jesus Christ. Dr. Mase enjoyed fishing, golfing, theatre, singing with his deep bass voice, writing, and poetry. He was active in: Rotary (Lima, NK/NB, St. Marys), Encore Theatre (Lima), The Elks (Lima), and Shawnee Country Club.
Funeral rites will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Saint Paul's United Church of Christ in Saint Marys, the Reverend Kevin Lawler, officiant. Burial will take place at the Harmony Cemetery in Richland, Georgia.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys, Ohio, where memorial gifts may be given to Otterbein Saint Marys Retirement Community.
Condolences may be sent to Reverend Mase's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.
