Ethel Mae Wilbur Mastin

Mastin, Ethel Mae Wilbur
was born in Gilbert AZ on October 22, 1921 the sixth of seven children born to Everett Ray and Nelly O. Duncan Wilbur. She spent her childhood summers away from the heat of Gilbert in the cool climate of the San Tan Mountains. She was a graduate from the ?Alamo' in the Gilbert School District and attended ASU for a period of time. She is survived by her husband of 67 years William "Bill" Mastin whom she met through her brother George. She and Bill were married on Christmas Day in 1942 at her parent's home. When Bill was drafted into the Navy for service during World War II she decided she did not want to miss all the excitement and her lifelong residency of Gilbert was interrupted by a tour of duty with the Navy. She was stationed in San Diego where she achieved the rank of Storekeeper Third Class. After her year and a half of service to her country Ethel returned to her parents home where she and Bill would live while the home he designed for them was being built. Ethel was an accomplished pilot, motorcyclist, homemaker, and was employed outside of her home at Motorola. She was a gifted artist who designed stain glass, did photo tinting for Bill's photograph studio and was an extraordinary seamstress. She was very active in the United Methodist Church of Gilbert Woman's Group, choir, and bell choir. She was a member of the Mesa Ringers Bell Choir where her love of travel expanded when she experienced her first cruise. She went on to travel extensively including Alaska, Hawaii, Okinawa, the Panama Canal, Columbia, Mexico, and Canada. On July 31, 2010 Ethel May passed away at 88 years of age. She deeply loved and is survived by each of her four children; daughter Betty Schatke of Mesa AZ, daughter Diane Howard of Kansas, son Brian (Brenda) Mastin of Chandler AZ and daughter Susan Smith of Texas, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday August 5, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Falconer Funeral Home, 251 W Juniper Ave, Gilbert AZ. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday August 7, 10am at the First United Methodist Church of Gilbert, 331 S Cooper Rd, Gilbert AZ. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Gilbert Historical Society. She will remain in our hearts and we will know her love as we continue our walk through life. For additional information please visit www.falconerfuneralhome.com