Karen Marie Maust, formerly of Uniontown, now of Conemaugh, went home to be with her precious Savior on July 10, 2024. Her husband dear Roland of 50 years was by her side.
Eldest daughter of Arthur and Jennie Lee Essig of Massillon, Ohio, she was a 1972 Jackson High School graduate, and attended Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. A lifelong scholar, she served as librarian at both graduate and public levels.
She loved sharing God’s Word. A masterful teacher, she skillfully led many women into a deeper understanding of the Bible. Whether in small groups or in settings of over 100 ladies, she had a rare ability to open up the Word of God.
Another passion was ministering side-by-side with her husband. Whether teaching pastors’ wives in the Central African Republic, helping restart a church on the Aleutian Island of Akutan, or else recording camper salvation decisions in her “Lamb’s Book of Life” register, she was fervently committed to serving the Lord. The Mausts were in the process of relocating to radio station KCAM in Glennallen, Alaska, as radio missionaries when God called her home.
Finally, she was a passionate wife and mother. Under her care, her three sons grew into pillars of their communities, serving as director of paramedic care (Russell), an Arctic Barnabas pilot (Jason), and a chef (Brian). And she faithfully stood by her husband from his days as a security guard to becoming a longtime pastor and an award-winning radio broadcaster involved in international ministry.
She’s survived by her husband Roland of Conemaugh and three sons: Russell (Chrissy) of Kelley’s Island, Ohio; Jason (Anita) of Kenai, Alaska; and Brian (Charlotte) of Kelley’s Island. Her grandchildren include Kaitlyn Maust, Caleb Maust, Christopher Maust, and Jacey Tong. And grandson Corban Maust (Karissa) expects great-granddaughter Eden Rose Maust’s imminent arrival.
Also surviving her are siblings Karlene Bowen, Jay Essig, Lori Devin, Kevin Essig, Wendy Andriotis, and Aaron Essig, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Two memorial services will be held, the 1st at the Conemaugh Grace Brethren Church, corner of Oak and 2nd Street, Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, July 21 at 4:00 PM.
Then a joint homegoing / 50th anniversary celebration will be at the Canton Grace Brethren Church, 6283 Market Avenue, North Canton, Ohio, on Thursday, August 15 at 4:00 PM.
Instead of flowers, the family requests all memorial gifts be made to Joy Media Ministry, P. O. Box 249, Glennallen, Alaska, 99588, or electronically to [email protected] Please clearly mark all memorial gifts “Maust fund.”
Arrangements are being handled by the Andrew D. Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematories, Inc. of Uniontown, PA.
Karen Maust and her husband Roland were neighbors of ours in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and we loved having them over to our home for events and such. Karen was such a wonderful, sweet woman and she will be sadly missed.