Berness "Bernie" Jerane Hill of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away April 2, 2026, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 93. He was born September 25, 1932, in Broseley, Missouri, the son of John Heber and Mary Margaret Butts Hill. Bernie married Thelma Jane Hayes on August 13, 1955, in Tunica, Mississippi. He attended Arkansas State College (University), Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education with honors, student of distinction. He was a Cotton, Corn, and Soybean farmer in Southeast Missouri. Bernie was a U.S. Army veteran, proudly serving our nation during the Korean Conflict.

He began his professional career as an Inspector with the Arkansas State Plant Board in 1959 and relocated for an opening in Yellville, Arkansas, in 1960. A few years later, the couple settled in Mountain Home and truly embraced the community. Bernie worked for Baxter Laboratories for 13 years as a Production Supervisor, Industrial Engineer, and Health and Safety Coordinator. He then worked as an insurance agent with Allstate for 18 years before retiring in 1995. He and his wife owned the agency for another 9 years, run by Thelma Hill and associates.

Bernie was an active member of the Christian Church of Mountain Home (formerly Memorial Christian Church), where he served as an Elder, Trustee, and taught Sunday school. He and his wife were pillars of the business community, mentoring new business colleagues and always lending a helping hand. Bernie played softball, enjoyed farming, boating, music (playing guitar and other string instruments), sports, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. He often caught people off guard with his dry wit filled with anecdotal humor and life lessons.

Bernie’s legacy is how he and his wife lived, their ability to persevere through life’s challenges, how they treated others with kindness and respect, their love of family, and the values passed on to their children and grandchildren.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 70 years, Thelma Hill; children, Steven Hill of Harrison, AR, Cynthia Farrier of Mountain Home, AR, and Kevin (Keith) McKibben-Hill of Trumann, AR, and Memphis, TN; grandchildren, Stephanie (David) Haskell, Jeremy Hill, Sarah (Anthony) Proffitt, and Dakota Hill; and great-grandchildren, Andrew Harris, Marion Andrews, William Harris, Tucker Proffitt, and Nathan Haskell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Vetress (Bill Hillis) King, Verene (Vernon) Barnett, Nadine (Donald) Morehead, and Johnnie (Frankie) Hill, Frankie survives.

Visitation will be 12:30 pm, Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Christian Church of Mountain Home. A Funeral Service for Bernie will begin at 2:00 pm with Pastor Eric Dwyer officiating. Burial will be in the Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Cemetery, Mountain Home, Arkansas with Jeremy Hill, Drew Parnell, Nichlaus Parnell, and Ryan Kattengell as pallbearers. Military Honors will be provided by the Alley - White American Legion and United States Army Honor Guards.

Memorials may be made to the Mountain Home Food Basket, the Van Matre Senior Activity & Wellness Center, or the Christian Church of Mountain Home. Please send cards and sentiments to Thelma Hill, c/o Christian Church of Mountain Home, 1365 Eastside Centre Ct, Mountain Home, AR 72653.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.