Ora M. Mast

Ora M. Mast, was born December 15, 1937, in Arthur, Illinois, and passed away on August 6, 2026, a resident of Brethren Village in Lititz, PA. His parents were Menno and Minnie (Beachey) Mast, both deceased. He is survived by his wife, Rhoda P. (Book) Mast; they would have been married 55 years on August 7. Also surviving is his remaining sibling: Ellen Yoder (Glen, deceased), Atlanta, GA and two sisters-in-law, Clara Mast, Sugar Creek, OH, and Donna Mast, Harrisonburg, VA.

He was predeceased by brother Henry, sister Lydia, and brothers Alva and Lloyd.

Ora grew up and worked on a farm in Arthur, IL. He attended Maple Grove Christian School, Lovington, IL, Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, VA, and Goshen College, Goshen, IN, graduating with a BA in German.

He served in Alternative Service under the PAX program of Mennonite Central Committee from 1958-1961 in home construction for refugees in northern Germany; reconstruction of a Lutheran school destroyed in WW II in Vienna, Austria; and material aid distribution to refugees in Congo.

Ora worked in public welfare case management in New York City; in airline passenger service for Pan American World Airways at JFK Airport in New York City; and in pension administration for Metropolitan Life in New York City and Atlanta, GA.

He attended James Street Mennonite Church, where he was involved in several areas of outreach, including LOVE INC and the Power Packs Project.

He enjoyed travel, reading and singing, and was a part of the Heritage Chorale of Lancaster and the chorus at Brethren Village. In retirement, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and The Carter Center in Atlanta, GA, and in Lancaster with Habitat for Humanity, as well as providing volunteer transportation for Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Service.

In keeping with his life of service, Ora's body has been donated to Humanity Gift Registry for medical research. A memorial service will be held at James Street Mennonite Church, 323 West James Street, Lancaster, PA, on Saturday, August 15, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and the service at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow. There will be a visitation at the Brethren Village Chapel, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA, on Friday, August 14, from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Mennonite Central Committee, P. O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-9989. Arrangements are under the care of the Eckenroth Home for Funerals, Terre Hill. Online condolences and remembrances may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com.