Maynard R. Lehman
Maynard “Miz” R. Lehman, 90, of Berne, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Swiss Village in Berne. He was born on March 26, 1926 to Albert and Edna (Habegger) Lehman. He was married on July 30, 1944 to Pauline Huser.
He graduated from Monroe High School and served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion Post 468. He was a lifetime member of the First Mennonite Church of Berne.
He was the owner of Miz Lehman Realtors-Auctioneers and retired in 2006 after 50 years of serving the community he loved. He was a staunch supporter to the people of Berne, whether it was in business or helping those in need. In 2015, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Berne Chamber of Commerce for his contributions to the Berne community. His earlier contributions to the community included opening the Hoosier Pete Gas Station; co-owning Bill and Miz Used Auto Sales; Rotary president (coordinated all aspects of the Berne High School choir performance at the Rotary International Convention, in St. Louis, in 1963); coordinated fundraising for the Berne Community Pool; city councilman; named to the Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 1965; and served as president of the Indiana Auctioneers Association.
In 1968, he and his wife, plus two other local couples, established Amishville U.S.A. between Berne and Geneva, as well as building many homes in Berne when the supply was low. In 1975, he and three other families developed Hitzer, a corporation that manufactures wood-burning stoves, which is now managed by his brothers, nephews and their wives. He was named “Realtor of the Year” for the Adams, Jay, Wells counties in 1978 and 1984 and named Auctioneer of the Year in 1981. At the age of 88, he directed the campaign to raise money for the shuffleboard courts located at the Arthur and Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion. He was a prominent businessman and community leader. He loved his family, church, community, and work.
He enjoyed shuffleboard, Big 10 basketball, Detroit Tigers, cards with friends (especially hand and foot, wizard and euchre) not to mention trips to Willshire for ice cream with his brothers. He and his wife enjoyed spending winters in Hutchinson Island, Florida, where they met lifelong friends.
He is survived by three daughters, Pat (Jerry) Fosnaugh of Hutchinson Island, Florida; and Claudia (Jack) Claussen; and Carla Noll, both of Fort Wayne; two brothers, Claren “Clez” (Darlene) Lehman; and Doyle (Anna) Lehman; sister-in-law, Berneta (Adrian) Lehman; foster sister, Kaye (Lloyd) Miller; seven grandchildren, Jen Fosnaugh Brakeman; Jeff Fosnaugh; Marc and Joe Claussen; Carrie Claussen Dixon; and Brad Noll; and Abby Noll Grubbs and their spouses; and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on September 10, 2011; brother, Adrian Lehman; sister, Romaine (John) Sprunger; and foster son, Jim Hill.
The Miz Lehman family would like to thank the Blumengarden and Westenfeld staff at Swiss Village for the loving care they extended to their father while he was a resident.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9 at Swiss Village Auditorium in Berne and one and a half hours prior to the 10:30 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, December 10 at First Mennonite Church in Berne. Officiating will be Pastor Jerry A. Flueckiger. Burial will be at MRE Cemetery in rural Berne.
Memorials may be made to Arthur and Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion for the shuffleboard courts, Swiss Village Samaritan Fund, 1350 W. Main St, Berne, IN 46711, or the Household Treasury at the First Mennonite Church.
Arrangements provided by Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne. Sign the guest book online at www.yagerkirchhofer.com.