Max Alton Mason

Max Alton Mason, was born on April 16, 1935, and passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025, at The Cedars in Leo, Indiana. Max lived most of his life in Harlan, Indiana, and celebrated his 90th birthday this past April. Max was an avid boater, enjoying the rivers, Great Lakes, and Intercoastal Gulf waterways, and also built and ran a marina on the Ohio River. In his later years, he spent his days woodworking in his shop. Max was a natural born mechanic. According to his granddaughter, Addison, anytime something was broken, “Grandpa can fix it!” In his younger years, Max ran the Shell Station in Harlan and delivered boats for Ab Crosby to all 48 states. Max also proudly served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. He worked over seas in Iran and Kuwait as a trouble shooter for Harvester International and worked many years at Harvester’s Fort Wayne plant at their Test Track. After retiring from Harvester, he opened Max Mason General Repair in Harlan and was kept extremely busy repairing vehicles for many more years. Max is survived by his wife, Nancy (Herschberger) who he married in 1979. He helped to raise her children, Matt (Susan) Oetting and Amy (Rich) Mohr, who he loved as his own. He has three grandchildren, Kyle (Danielle) Mohr, Addison (Nick) Atkins-Harris, and Brogan Mohr in addition to two great grandchildren. Max is also survived by his sister, Jane Greuter; nieces, Brenda (Greg) Zern and Tina (Chris) Snyder; and nephew, Brent (Karen) Greuter. A funeral service will be 12:00 pm on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Hockemeyer Funeral Home, 17629 State Road 37, Harlan with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in Scipio Cemetery, rural Harlan. Memorials may be made to the Harlan Food Bank or to the Harlan Christian Youth Center. Condolences and memories of Max may be left online at www.hockemeyerfuneralhome.com