John Samuel Mace

John Samuel Mace, 96, of Clay County, Ind., passed away at The Villas of Holly Brook, on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020.

John was born in Clay County on Nov. 4, 1923, the son of Lewis and Opal (Butler) Mace.

He graduated from Bridgeton High School with the class of 1941. Shortly thereafter he was drafted into World War II. He served in the Army, Company G, 291 Infantry, 75th Infantry Division in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central European theaters.

He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge as well as various other accommodations.

When he returned from the military, he resumed farming on his family’s farm in Parke County.

John was an active member of the Calcutta Cemetery Association for more than 35 years. He has been associated with many Parke County and Clay County organizations over the years, including the Parke County 4-H where he served on the Council and as a 4-H Leader. He was on the Parke County Planning and Zoning Committee where he was instrumental in setting up the Covered Bridge Festival and development of the Cecil B. Harden Dam and the Mansfield Reservoir. He also served on the board of directors for the Farm Bureau Co-op, in Clay County, for many years.

He was also a member of the Lena United Methodist Church for more than 75 years.

In addition to his parents, Lewis and Opal Mace, he was preceded in death by his wife Leta (Haynes) Mace whom he married on Oct. 16, 1946 and their son, Larry Mace; two brothers, Jim Mace and Victor “Tub” Mace; and two sisters: Ethel Pell and Hazel Mayer.

John is survived by his children, Michael Mace and wife Nancy, Becky Mace – Jacob and husband Dave, and John David Mace and wife Jane, all of Brazil; grandchildren Matthew Mace and wife Shelley, Meghann Jeffries and husband Chris, Daniel Packard and wife Emilee, Reanda Kirchner and fiancé Jerry Lawhorn, Lecia Brown and husband Matt “Chop” Brown, Jim Jacob (Dawn Moore), John Jacob and wife Christie, Mannah Mace, and J. Asher Mace; great-grandchildren: Van Mace, Eden Mace, Isaac Jeffries, Abram Jeffries, Michaela Chesshir and husband D.J., Maddison Packard, Tristan Packard, Jace Packard, Stella Lawhorn, Norah Lawhorn, Gage Brown, Macee Brown, Taylor Jacob, Kenzie Jacob, and Cy Jacob; and a great-great-grandson, Beckham Chesshir; three sister,: Edith Tucker, Mary Hirt and Jean Seville; three sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Mace, Suzanne Mace and Mary Lou Howard and husband Don, as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be at Lawson-Miller Chapel, 1702 E. National Ave., Brazil, , on Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. until noon and again from 4- 8 p.m.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Lena United Methodist Church, 10932 Lena Rd., Brazil, with Pastor Mark Mullinix officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Calcutta Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lena United Methodist Church, 10932 Lena Rd, Brazil, IN 47834, or the Parke County 4-H Council, P.O. Box 146, Rockville, IN 47872.