Ervin Bearden

A funeral service for Ervin Richard Bearden, age 88, of Sulphur Springs will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Leroy Reeves and Rev Ed Dodd officiating. A Masonic and a military graveside service will follow at Tira Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Monday, August 12, 2013 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.
Ervin Richard Bearden passed away Saturday afternoon, August 10, 2013 at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. He was born in Ladonia on June 8, 1925, the son of Thomas H. Bearden and Hazel Jane (Corne) Bearden. He married Sally Oleta Weir in Tyler October 9, 1948; she survives. He was a retired office manager for the Texas Employment Commission. He was a member of Tira United Methodist Church. He graduated from East Texas State Teachers College. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was the recipient of The Purple Heart. He was a member of Marine Corps League of Hopkins County and a life member of Disabled Veterans. He was a Master Mason with the Sulphur Bluff Masonic Lodge, a former district deputy grandmaster, a 32nd degree Mason, a York Rite Mason, a Maskat Temple Shriner, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, Wichita Council #140 Royal and Select Masons, past worshipful master Faith Masonic Lodge in Wichita Falls, past worshipful master, Sulphur Bluff Masonic Lodge, past district deputy in the 88th Masonic District, past high priest in Wichita Falls Chapter #202 Royal Arch Mason, past commander Wichita Falls Commandery #59, member of Ft. Worth Scottish Rite Bodies, life member Maskat Shrine Temple, received the Knight York Cross of Honor, former fire chief of Tira Volunteer Fire Department and a former city council member of Tira.
Other survivors include: sister, Katherine Thompson and brother Tom Bearden, Jr., both of Grand Prairie and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sister, Mildred Haynes and two brothers, Alton Bearden and Weldon Bearden.
Memorials may be made to the Tira Cemetery Association, % Floyd L. Payton, 1601 CR 4612, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482.