Daniel J, Mast

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Dan J. Mast, 88, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Berlin, died July 8, 2014.

Viewing will be Friday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Grace Mennonite Church, Bunker Hill. An additional viewing will be Saturday from 8:30-10 a.m. at the same location, with funeral services beginning at 10 a.m. Dan's final resting place will be in Mast Homestead in Mount Hope. Arrangements by Spidell Funeral Home.

Dan is the son of pre-deceased Amish Bishop Jacob J. Mast and Katie Mast of Mount Hope.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Mary Jane Mast; children and their spouses, Darlene and Terry Graber of Sarasota, Fla., Bonnie Beiler of Palmetto, Fla., Bruce and Kathy Mast and Linda and Keith Widrick, both of Sarasota, Fla.; grandchildren and their spouses, Karla Graber of Clearwater, Fla., Josh and Laura Graber of Sarasota, Fla., Rachel and Chris Gordon of Enterprise, Ala., Melody Graber of Jersey City, N.J., Dan Beiler, Alissa and Chris Welty, Amber and Carl Jones and Angela Mast, all of Sarasota, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Megan Graber, Amber, Christopher and Abigail Gordon, Baby Welty coming soon; a brother, Jake and Eunice Mast of Berlin; and many, many relatives across the country.

Dan founded and operated Mast Plumbing Service in Sarasota, Fla. After retirement, he traveled the country extensively with his wife in their RV and spent several months each year in Ohio and in North Carolina visiting family and friends.

Dan attended Cartoogeechaye Church of God in Franklin, N.C., when in the area, and Fellowship of Believers in Sarasota. A talented singer and musician, Dan's passion in life was to share the Gospel message and love of Jesus in music and song to all he encountered.

He crafted four mandolins and produced several CDs that are enjoyed by family, friends and acquaintances alike.

Dan has been active in missions and traveled abroad in ministry for the past 40 years. He founded Gospel Outreach Ministries, a charitable organization that has provided spiritual and physical aid to Haiti and other poverty stricken areas. Dan's hard work and dedication helped to establish over a dozen churches in the Port au Prince area of Haiti. Dan also volunteered at the Manatee Juvenile Detention Center, where he and Mary ministered in song and offered words of hope and encouragement to troubled youth in the Manatee area.

Dan was loved deeply by his family and friends, and all who met him. He will be greatly missed.