of Van Buren, AR
March 11, 1960 - June 26, 2024
Edward Royce Mainer, Sr., 64, of Van Buren, Arkansas passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Fort Smith after a short battle with cancer.
He was born on March 11, 1960, in Ozark, Arkansas, the oldest child of Alfred Wesley Mainer and Janice (Wood) Mainer. After Ed graduated from Marion High School in 1978, he joined the United States Air Force. He served a term in the Azores and a term in Saudia Arabia as a Flight Engineer Technician. After he was discharged from active duty he served in the Air National Guard in Fort Smith, Arkansas before retiring. He enjoyed working on old cars and trucks, small engines and was an all-around handy man.
He is survived by his two sons, Andrew Mainer and wife, Ariane of Bentonville, Arkansas; Eddie Mainer and wife, Maria of Temple, Texas; his parents, Alfred and Janice Mainer of Paris, Arkansas; two brothers, Alfred Mainer, Jr. of Paris, Arkansas; Jimmy Wallace and wife, Jaimie of Almyra, Arkansas; a loving aunt, Dorothy Spillers of Fort Smith, Arkansas; a dear uncle, Daniel Royce Fuller of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Trinity Mainer and Dominic Mainer; one great grandchild, Royce Tyler Bates; other family members and friends.
A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m., on Monday, July 8, 2024, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Burial will be at McVay cemetery on North Carbon City Road west of Paris.
Funeral service and arrangements under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. Online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/paris
Pallbearers will be Bill Turner, Kenneth Spillers, Jimmy Mainer, Danny Fuller, George Spillers and Fred Riddle.
The world lost one of the very few good men left, I lost my very best friend. A true American hero left us all, not to despair he’ll be back again and again and again and again. He left with no fear and a faith in God that was so pure I will never forget it. Two days before his departure he told me, more for my benefit then his own , “if it’s Gods plan for me to beat this I will and if God needs me to serve him somewhere else that’s what I’ll do, make no mistake Jason even though we can’t see it with our feeble minds compared to Gods greatness, his plan is perfect and we must keep our faith in that” he said this with more conviction then I had ever witnessed from him. I loved him dearly, he taught me lots we shared many many deep philosophical conversations on religion and spirituality and our journeys knowledge seeking in nature always seemed to be parallel even if we went days or weeks without speaking, it was uncanny. Ed’s life the past 8 years was all about helping others he was a good man and will be forever remembered.
Rest in peace sweet cousin.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Sorry to see him go. We were both Air Force. And worked together, he was System Engineer for My company and instrumental in beating Y2k for many banks and Health care facilties. He will be missed.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sharing in your sadness and praying for you during this difficult time.
Ed was like a brother to me. He was a good man and I will miss him greatly.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's been a long time since I've seen Eddie, but he was always so nice to me and my family. I wish we could be there for y'all. We love y'all and continue to pray for y'all daily.