Corlie Opal Mason

Mason, Corlie Opal, 86, was born Jan. 14, 1928 and left her earthy body to enter paradise May 27. She was born to William Riley Sanders and Mabel Icalone Martin in Winfield, KS where she obtained her schooling. She graduated from Winfield, KS High School and Southwestern College where she was listed in the “Who’s Who” in American colleges. Corlie’s love of children inspired her to become a teacher for 30 years. She often heard with love from her former students. Her teaching career stated of a one room school called “Green Valley” where she taught all eight grades. She moved to Wichita where she taught at Gardner, Mammoth Cave, and Park Elementary Schools and Plainview High School. She married the love of her life, Dean Mason, Dec. 18th, 1954 and they were happily married for 59 years. To this union, two sons were born, Mark & Ted. In 1965 her husband was accepted at UMKC School of Dentistry in Kans as City and the Mason family moved there. Corlie started teaching at John F. Kennedy Elementary school and was the primary bread winner for four years. In 1969 the family moved back to Wichita where her husband stated his dental practice. Corlie and Irene Gilbert started The Clearing House, a furniture consignment business on south Oliver Street which ran successfully for several years. Before this, Corlie, Alonna Layne, and Erma Fusco stated the e Wee Care pre-school and day care center in the former Mammoth Cave elementary school building. Corlie was the director of the school which lasted 19 years. Corlie finally retired from her teaching role to enjoy having time with her grandchildren and being a home maker, writing poetry and enjoying family and friends. In December 2012, Corlie was diagnosed to have a brain tumor (benign) which was removed but it’s affects progressively lead to her death. Besides her husband Dean, she is survived by her sons, Mark (Kathy) Mason, Dr. Ted (Laurie) Mason, granddaughters, Tiffany (Pete) Cohlmia, Dr. Katie (John) Yost and Molly Mason. Grandsons, Zack Mason and Luke Mason and three great-grandchildren Jackson and Bridget Cohlmia and Grace Yost. Step-grandchildren Thomas Ford, Stephanie Ford, and Nicole Ford. Visitation will be held at Lakeview Funeral Home on Sun. June 1, 2014 from 6 to 8pm. Funeral Services will be held at 10am on Mon. June 2, 2014 at University Congregational Church, 9209 East 29th St., Wichita. Interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the University Congregational Church, 9209 East 29th St., Wichita, KS 67226. To leave online condolences please visit www.mylakeviewfuneralhome.com.