Brian Mason Ainslie

Brian Mason Ainslie born January 4, 1926 to Lora Mary (Mason) and Molliver Wesley Ainslie, left this life March 7, 2025 at the age of 99.

Brian lived in Wacousta, Michigan until completion of 7th grade at which time he moved to Lansing and attended Lansing schools.  He was a member of Sexton High School’s first graduating class in 1943.  Following graduation at 17, Brian chose to serve his country and enlisted in the Navy November 10, 1943, serving as a Pharmacist’s Mate 3c attached to Company D 3rd Medical Battalion 3rd Marine Division FMF.  Brian received the following awards: Occupation Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good conduct Medal, Navy/Marine Corp Overseas Ribbon, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the Navy Unit Commendation. Brian was honorably discharged May 7, 1946, at which time he came back to Lansing to attend Lansing Business College, where he met Lorna Mellstead.  The two married September 11, 1948, having six children (Keith, Linda, Jim, Dianne, Rex & Ron) and many adventures – some planned and many just found the family.  An avid animal lover, he and the family rescued many – squirrels, owls, raccoons, rabbits, cats and dogs, just to name a few.  Brian and Lorna were married 67 years until Lorna’s passing in March 2016.

Brian spent 37 years working with the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  He spent many years as a Conservation Officer in law enforcement and time as a forest fire control officer.  A promotional move to Lansing in 1968 saw him become the Forest Management Supervisor until he and Lorna retired in 1984. They spent many years traveling across country in their truck camper enjoying camping and fishing and sightseeing.  Brian loved telling the multitude of stories about his life – from working summers on farms for $3.00 a day, scaring and being scared by bears in the U.P., and all the sights he saw during his life’s travels.  An active person, Brian continued to maintain his home, even push mowing his large yard until he was 90 years young.

Brian is survived by his current wife Stella whom he met and married in 2018 (at 93 he was still a dashing young man) while they both lived at Delta Retirement Center in Lansing, sister in-law Janice Mellstead Patrick, his five children, 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents Lora & Molliver, mother & father in-law Helen & Clifford Mellstead, wife Lorna, eldest son Keith, sister and brother in-law Ralph & Dariel Smith, brother in-law Jack Patrick, brother in-law Carl Willard Stuart, and sister in-law Marilyn (Mellstead) Bottoms. 

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 14, 2025 at the Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St., Portland, Interment will be in East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral on Friday. Military Honors will be provided by the V.F.W. Post #4090 at the funeral home following the service.

Family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to St. Jude’s, your local Hospice, or military veteran center.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brian Mason Ainslie, please visit our floral store.