Rachel Maxine (Whitehead) Mast

Rachel Maxine (Whitehead) Mast, 81, of Goshen, died early Sunday afternoon, September 30, 2007, at her home after battling cancer. She was born in Topeka, Indiana, on March 1, 1926, to LeRoy and Mary (Sherck) Mishler.  She married Wendell M. Whitehead on Novermber 28, 1942 in Warsaw.  He died October 25, 1991.  She married Harley Mast in Goshen on March 20, 1993.  He survives. A lifelong resident of the area, Mrs. Mast was a member of Clinton Frame Mennonite Church where she was active in her Sunday School class.  She attended many fast pitch softball games throughout the area as her first husband, Wendell, played with many teams in northern Indiana.  She and her second husband, Harley enjoyed many travels together.  She enjoyed cooking and baking for her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Mast, a homemaker, worked for Miles Laboratory in Elkhart and later for the Elkhart County Government Auditor’s office. She is survived by her husband, Harley Mast; a daughter, Gayle (Richard) Anderson of Palm Bay, Florida; four sons, Kirby (Jane) Whitehead and Jim (Sally) Whitehead, both of Goshen, Gary (Barbara) Whitehead of Elkhart and Bob Whitehead of Warne, North Carolina; a step-son, Duane (Diane) Mast of Millersburg; and two step-daughters, Nancy (Lennis) Troyer of Burr Oak, Michigan, and Fern Mast of Goshen.  Also surviving are nine grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Carolyn (Del) Freeman of Rancho Mirage, California, Phyllis (Ted) Miller of Middlebury, and Margaret Tarman of Goshen. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Wendell; and a brother, Robert Mishler. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, October 2, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. A 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2007, funeral service will be conducted at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, Goshen.  Rev. Jeff Mumaw and Rev. Vernon Bontreger of the church will officiate. Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to Care at Home Hospice.