James Anthony "Tony" Mitz

James Anthony “Tony” Mitz, 70, of Evansville, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at his home, due to complications from Agent Orange during his tour in Vietnam. He was a graduate of Bosse High School, Class of 1962. He left Evansville to serve his country in the United States Air Force where he served as an Air Policeman and Special Ops. Before volunteering to go to Vietnam, Tony was stationed in Oregon, where he attended college. Upon his discharge, he returned to Evansville where he met his wife of 46 years, Tonya Berning. He was a member of Lessing Lodge 464, Scottish Rite, and Hadi Shriners. He received the first Masonic Service Award in Indiana and was President of the Hadi Shrine Luncheon Club and was an honorary member of the Hadi Funsters. Tony was a member of the Legion of Honor, the Morton J. Compton Chapter Order of Demolay and the Demolay Legion of Honor and VFW Post 1114. He retired as the Operations Director at Clark Security after 31 years of service. He was a former member of Methodist Temple. Tony received the M.S. Spirit Award in 2002. Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Mary Mitz; father-in-law, Alfred Berning Sr and mother-in-law, Isabel Berning; and nephews, Erick Berning and Raymond Berning. He is survived by his wife, Tonya (Berning) Mitz; brother, Kenneth A. (Debbie) Mitz; nephews, Dr. Eric (Erica) Mitz, Chadd (Briana) Huffman, Craig Huffman, Alan Berning and Derek Berning; nieces, Melissa Mitz and Angela Berning (David) Jackson; brother-in-law, Alfred (Lee) Berning, Jr.; uncle, Clarence (Doris) Shepard of Ft. Myers, FL; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services with military rites will be 10:00 AM Saturday, September 6, 2014, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Rev. William Rasch, with burial in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may visit Friday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Masonic services will be 7:00 PM Friday, September 5, 2014, at Alexander East Chapel, with a Shrine walk through at 6:45 PM. Memorial contributions may be made online to the Hadi Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1, Evansville, IN 47701 or to the Tri-State Multiple Sclerosis Association, 909A S. Kenmore Dr., Evansville, IN 47714. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.