Maynard R. Lehman

March 26, 1926 - December 7, 2016

Maynard "Miz" R. Lehman, 90, Berne, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Swiss Village. He was the son of the late Albert & Edna(Habegger)Lehman on March 26, 1926 in Adams County. He married Pauline Huser on July 30, 1944, she preceded him in death on September 10, 2011.

He was a prominent businessman and community leader. He loved his family, church, community and work. He enjoyed shuffleboard,
Big 10 basketball, Detroit Tigers, card with friends, (especially Hand & Foot), Wizard, and Euchre not to mention trips to Willshire for ice cream with his brothers. He was the owner of Miz Lehman Realtors-Auctioneers and retire 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 in business or helping those in need. In 2015, Miz was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Berne Chamber of Commerce for his contributions to the community. His earlier contributions to the community included opening the Hoosier Pete Gas Station; co-owing Bill & 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 Pauline, plus two other 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. Miz was names "Realtor of the Year" for 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 Center. He was a lifetime member of the First Mennonite Church of Berne. Miz graduated from Monroe High School and served and served in the United Stated Air Force during WW II. He was a member of the Berne American Legion Post 468. Miz and Pauline enjoyed spending winters in Hutchinson Island, Fla. where they met lifetime friends.

Survivors include three daughters; Patricia(Jerry)Fosnaugh of Hutchinson Island, Fla., Claudia(Jack)Claussen and Carla Noll both of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren, Jen Fosnaugh Brakeman, Jeff Fosnaugh, Marc and Joe Claussen, Carrie Claussen, Dixon and Brad Noll, and Abbey Noll Grubbs and their spouses; 20 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Claren"Clez"(Darlene)Lehman, and Doyle(Anna)Lehman, sister-in-law Berneta(Adrian)Lehman and foster sister, Kaye(Lloyd)Miller.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, 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 of Swiss Village for the loving care they extended to their father while he was a resident



A celebration of life is 10:30 am, Saturday, December 10, 2016 at First Mennonite Church, Berne with visitation from 9:00 am to time of services. Visitation also Friday, December 9 from 1:00 to 8:00 pm at the Swiss Village Auditorium. Officiating is Pastor Jerry A. Flueckiger. Burial is in the MRE Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to the Shuffleboard Courts at Arthur and Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion, Swiss Village Samaritan Fund, 1350 W. Main Street, Berne, In 46711, or the Household Treasury at the First Mennonite Church.

Sign the guest book at yagerkirchhofer.com

Arrangements by Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home.