Willard J Maust OBITUARY
Willard J Maust was born on February 2, 1934, in Bayport, Michigan to Reverend Sherman and Laura Mae Kipfer Maust. He passed into eternity to his Lord and Savior from his home in Ontario, California, on July 4, 2026. For Willard, it all started with chickens. His first job on the farm in Michigan was feeding the family’s chickens. This led him into the egg business when he began with a small flock of laying hens in California. Over the years, this grew into a large poultry operation known as Sunshine Foods, which included Ranch Egg Stores at various farms throughout Southern California. Today, Maust Family Farms continues to be run by family members who work together to honor his memory. Willard often liked to joke around and make puns fitting for an egg man, aiming to ‘crack people up.’ Willard had a passion for fun and adventure and loved sharing those experiences with family and friends. His activities included traveling, boating, fishing, golfing, and hosting get-togethers at home where he would serve delicious BBQ made from fish he caught or special meats. Drawing from his roots in the Mennonite church, Willard enjoyed singing four-part harmony with groups of all sizes-whether it was spontaneous moments at home with his wife playing the piano or years spent touring with the Menno Choralaires. Generosity was one of Willard’s defining traits. He held leadership roles within churches over the years as well as participating in various para-church organizations. As an employer, he always aimed to uplift his employees and showed kindness by sharing eggs with his barber or pastor during lunch outings. In his later years, he would often drive several hours to Anza Borrego (where he might play golf) just to buy bags of sweet grapefruit that he’d share with anyone who would appreciate them. For decades, he organized custom omelet breakfasts for hundreds of people-often for charity-with help from family and friends. He also played a significant role in restoring the historic Hidden Oaks Retreat Center property in Rancho Cucamonga. Willard is survived by his wife of 72 years, Darleen Ann Harris Maust; a daughter Marianne Maust Aguilar; a son Philip Joseph (Raquel) Maust; brother Dennis D. (Lucy) Maust; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son Steven Joseph Maust; sister Shirley Lorraine (Dewayne) Jantz; and brother Ronald Dean (Carol Ann) Maust. A Celebration of Life will be held August 8, 2026, at Upland Brethren in Christ Church in Upland, California at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MCC / Mennonite Central Committee.Source link
