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 went to be with 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 chickens. This led him into the egg business when he began with a small group of laying hens in California. Over the years, this grew into a significant poultry operation called Sunshine Foods, featuring Ranch Egg Stores across Southern California. The Maust Family Farms continue to operate today under family management, keeping his spirit alive. Willard loved to joke around and make puns as an egg man, always trying to ‘crack people up.’ Willard enjoyed fun and adventures that he shared with family and friends. His interests included traveling, boating, fishing, golfing, and throwing parties at home that often featured delicious BBQs of fish he had caught or special meats. Drawing from his Mennonite upbringing, Willard loved singing four-part harmony with groups of any size-from spontaneous sessions at home with his wife playing piano to quartets and years spent touring with the Menno Choralaires. Willard was generous and kind-hearted. He held leadership roles in various churches over the years along with para-church organizations. As an employer, he made it a point to support and uplift his employees. He enjoyed sharing eggs with friends like his barber or pastor during lunch outings. In his later years, he would drive several hours to Anza Borrego (where he might play some golf) just to buy bags of sweet grapefruit for anyone who would appreciate them. For decades he organized custom omelet breakfasts for hundreds of people-often for charitable causes-with help from family and loyal friends. He also played a vital 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; daughter Marianne Maust Aguilar; son Philip Joseph (Raquel) Maust; brother Dennis D. (Lucy) Maust; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son named Steven Wayne Maust; sister Shirley Lorraine (Dewayne) Jantz; and brother Ronald Dean (Carol Ann) Maust. A Celebration of Life will take place on August 8, 2026 at Upland Brethren in Christ Church in Upland, California at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to MCC / Mennonite Central Committee.Source link
