of Peel, AR

July 17, 1935 - November 18, 2022

Bernard Albert (Joseph) Kohl, 87, of Peel, Arkansas, son of Fred Kohl and Amanda Agnes Czmowski Kohl Baron, succumbed to cancer in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his loving family Friday, November 18, 2022.

"Bernard" - Old German origin meaning "Strong, brave bear"

Bernard joined the Air Force in 1954 and moved 13 times throughout his military career. Four of those assignments were outside the US - Goose Bay Labrador, Canada; Indian Mountain, Alaska; Thakhli, Thailand and Bitburg, Germany. His family joined him while in Germany for 4 years and they traveled to many countries each summer camping and sightseeing. In 1980 he retired after 26 years of service and settled in Monument, Colorado. Bernie then worked at Synthes, USA (a medical implants company) for 15 years before permanently retiring. In 1995 he and his wife, Pat, moved to their dream home located on the south shores of Bull Shoals Lake near Peel, Arkansas. Their little slice of heaven in a quiet little bay became known to family and friends as "KoKobay". Soon after moving to Arkansas, he joined the Peel Volunteer Fire Department and served for 12 years.

His whole life Bernie had a love for fishing, hunting and camping and shared his big "Fish" or "Deer" stories with all those who would listen. He served twelve years on the Peel Volunteer Fire Department. He was an avid bowler and coached all his kids to be good bowlers as well. One of his hobbies he enjoyed during his retirement years was putting together jigsaw puzzles. He would spend hours by himself or with any visiting family members to complete the puzzle of the week. He also loved to play cards whenever family or friends were visiting. Towards the later part of his retirement he took on the joy of visiting casinos and trying out his luck while earning free gifts on many of his visits. (Pretty sure that was the excuse he always gave for needing to go to the casino.) Bernie was a family man with a big heart and he will be greatly missed by all and never to be forgotten.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia "Pat"; five children, Kerry Skurka, Carmelita Kohl-Smith (Stan), Kimberly McQuitty (Steve), Bernard Kohl, Jr. (Becky), Anastacia Spurlock (Mike); seventeen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; his cousin, Austin Schiley (Pat); his half siblings, Patsy Ellington, Gilbert Kohl, Robert Kohl, Freddie Kohl, Joseph Kohl, Lois Shepherd, Fabian Kohl and step-sibling, Goldie Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Helen Lambert, Rose Rieke; his half sister, Lucille Hackar and his step-sibling, Alvah Quinn, Sr.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the doctors and nurses who cared for him during his hospital visits over the many months of treatments. We would also like to thank his hospice nurses and our family members who were present to support Bernie and Pat during his final days.

In Lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Hospice of the Ozarks, 811 Burnett Dr., Mtn. Home, AR 72653 or The Pietz Cancer Support House, 315 Powers St, Mountain Home, AR 72653

Funeral Mass will be 9 am Saturday, November 26, 2022 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Yellville ,Arkansas.

Roller-Burns Funeral Home in Yellville.

Sign Guestbook

13 Condolence(s)