Mason Anthony Wilhelm

Our Mason

Mason Anthony Wilhelm, 25 years old, rejoined the Cosmos on September 6th, 2023.

Mason was born on April 15th, 1998, to Lori and Rob Wilhelm in Frederick, Maryland. He was the youngest of 5 children.

After graduating from Oakdale high school in 2016, Mason spent time exploring many different activities and spending time with the people that he loved. His immeasurable intellectual capacity allowed him to learn about anything he had interest in. Mason was able to watch a YouTube video about quantum physics and then could turn around and immediately teach others about the brand-new concepts he just learned. He had a ferocious appetite for knowledge and truth. Everything he did and said was from a place of love.

Mason was filled with so many talents and gifts. He could pick up any instrument and learn how to quickly master it. The guitar was his most played instrument and watching him play was magical. His nephews and niece loved watching their Uncle Mason play his variety of instruments and sing. Mason was an extraordinary storyteller. As a young boy he would tell very detailed stories of when he was our Mothers’ older brother and saved her from a bear. Mason was in the process of writing a book that would have been the New Age Star Wars. Some of us were lucky enough to hear him describe very vivid scenes from his book.

To say that Mason was a man of principles is an understatement. He had a tattoo of ancient pillars on his chest. It told a story of his core values that held him and his family up. A masterpiece that spoke of strength and love that could surpass any obstacle life put in his way. One of his most recent interests and passions was hiking. In Mason’s pursuit of tranquility and community he decided to prepare and hike the Appalachian Trail. He has completed over 300 miles and planned to complete it in sections. He loved the experience and people he met on the trail. He also had discovered a love of cooking and preserving his veggies and other foods. Mason had so many ideas for ways he could integrate his love of gardening into other ventures; freeze drying meals for hikers, canning, drying, capsulizing, and sharing all the amazing fruitage of his garden with others.

Through Mason’s own personal struggles and the struggles of others Mason learned an absolute truth; our World is in desperate need of community and connection. He decided to take action and began a relentless pursuit to rectify this colossal problem. He did one of the hardest things we can do as human beings and made the choice to look inwards. Mason built a daily routine to nurture his mind, body, and spirit that included breathwork, exercise, and actively pursuing his goals. He loved using the Wim Hof breathing method and was eager to share it with everyone around him in the hopes that it would uplift their spirit. Mason communed with nature daily through meditation, exercising in nature and nurturing his treasured garden.

The fruits of Mason’s labor were coming to fruition. His vision for community and meaningful connections was coming true. He changed people’s lives with his kind nature. He was always willing to listen and show up for those in need. He was always thinking about others and ways he could make the world a better place for those he loved. Mason had a goal to use his first garden as his proof-of-concept garden. A place to experiment and learn, a place to teach and grow so that he could then teach others to nurture their own gardens. He had sketched many other plans for integrative gardens that would be self-sustaining and beautifully landscaped. Mason wanted these garden spaces to be a place to reconnect with each other and nature.

In Mason’s own words, his passions included:

-Nature

-Botany

-Building/understand complex systems

-Psychology

-Learning

-Strategy

-History

-Geopolitics

-Ants

-Mycology

-Business planning

-Macro systems

-Public speaking

-Philosophy

Mason is survived by loving family that includes his mother, Lori Wilhelm; father, Rob Wilhelm; sister, Ashlea Ross (Zach Ross); brother, Michael Wilhelm (Amy Wilhelm); sister, Alexa Wilhelm (Larry Sullivan); nephews Wesley Paul, Russell Paul, and Cooper Ross; niece Eloise Wilhelm; uncle Scott Burns; Aunt Jenny Wilhelm; Cousin/Brother Cole Jones; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. Mason was predeceased by so many beautiful loved ones. The most recent was his maternal grandmother, Mamoose (Patricia Burns), and his oldest brother Patrick Wilhelm.

Mason wanted everyone to follow their passions and be the best version of themselves. He truly believed in a world where everyone was connected, living their purpose, and living in harmony with our Earth and all of Creation. Let us all work towards making his vision a reality by noticing our thoughts, being intentional with our actions, and being more present. Our hope as a family is that his life will be an inspiration to others to think deeper, give freely, and always choose love.

We would like to end by sharing an excerpt from Mason’s journal:

Choose to paint this canvas of life with the colors of gratitude, love, and wonderment. How incredible that you are alive in this moment. Here with this body. How incredible to feel and experience every twist and turn in this life. To experience it with others. Truly every moment can be incredible with the right perspective.

Written by Mason Anthony Wilhelm on 3/06/2022.

Visitation will be held at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Homes, P.A., 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, September 14, 2023 beginning at 11 A.M.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking anyone who is interested in contributing financially to donate to our GoFundMe that we have set up in Mason’s honor. This fund will go towards continued care for his garden and bringing his vision of community gardens to life. Thank you in advance for your contributions.

https://gofund.me/f3af3072

If you have any photos or videos of Mason, we encourage you to share them in this public album created by our family. This photo album is for all of us to share him together. Thank you in advance for your contributions.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AA2C8YabU9Qf1QEZ8

If you or a loved one are ever struggling with suicidal thoughts, PLEASE REACH OUT. You can call 988 or 911. You can visit these links to find resources to get help:

https://988lifeline.org/

https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/index.html

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention

This world needs you in it.