Bernard Wayne Mize

Bernard Wayne Mize, age 74, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at his home. He was born on Friday, August 20, 1948, to Bernard Mize and Nita May Hicks Mize in Batesville, Arkansas.
 
Bernie was a good man who loved his family. He was a devout Christian and longtime member of the Christ Community Fellowship Church in Mena where he was the co-coordinator of the security team. Bernie graduated from Batesville High School in 1966 and later went to the University of Arkansas and graduated in 1975 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He worked for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, starting in 1967 as an Engineers Aide. He married the love of his life, Erma on January 1, 2000, and moved to Mena in July of 2001. Bernie was the supervisor of the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratories before retiring in June 2001, with over thirty years of service.

Bernie volunteered for the Ninth Street Feeding Ministry, U.S. Forest Service, Rich Mountain Fire Tower, Mena Medical Center and as a campground host at Shady Lake Recreation Area. He was a dual member of the Camden Masonic Lodge #11 and the Dallas Masonic Lodge #128, where he was a past Master of the Dallas Masonic Lodge #128 and Mason of the year in 2007.

Bernie was the Fourth District Representative to the State Republican Party Executive Committee from 2009-2011 and Chairman of the Polk County Republican Committee from 2007-2013. He served for 8 years on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging in January 2006 and served for eight years under the appointment of Governor Mike Huckabee and Governor Mike Beebe.

In his free time, he enjoyed Western and Arkansas history, turkey hunting, hiking, camping and outdoor photography. He was always willing to help where he was needed and could make a difference. He loved to travel with his beloved late wife, Erma. Bernie was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and a great friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

Bernie is preceded in death by his parents and he is finally reunited with his lovely bride, Erma Mize who he deeply missed.

Bernie is survived by his stepson, Russell Steed of Benton, Arkansas; his stepdaughters, Donna Lewis of Marquez, Texas and Vicki McCoy of Houston, Texas; sister, Kathie Mize of Mena; four grandchildren, Mason McCoy of Houston, Texas, Brittney Hufeld of The Woodlands, Texas, Ashley Perera of The Woodlands, Texas and Declan Steed of Benton, Arkansas; four great-grandchildren, Cadence, Ryleigh, Landon McCoy of Houston, Ethan Rhett of Austin, Texas and a host of other friends.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Christ’s Community Fellowship in Mena with Brother Bobby Blasingame officiating. Interment will follow in the White Oak Cemetery in Mena. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Bowser Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Christ Community Fellowship here: https://www.ccfmena.com/give

Pallbearers will be Luke Sawyer, Joshua Hennings, Declan Steed, Kelsey Moran, Dan Lawrence, and Greg Lawrence.

Honorary Pallbearer will be David Lumbert.

Family preferred florist: Allbaugh’s Florist in Mena, Arkansas at 479-394-4616.

Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com

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