CMSgt Mark H.A. Grumbine (Ret.), age 89, of Cabot passed away Sunday, November 15, 2020 at The Manor Assisted Living Center in Bryant.  He was born November 4, 1931 in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania to the late Philip and Ida Grumbine.  In 1949, Mark joined the Air Force after graduating from Jonestown High School in Jonestown, Pennsylvania.  He married Bessie McDowell (Vanover) on January 5, 1957.

Mark made a career of the United States Air Force and retired in 1979 after 30 years, attaining the highest enlisted Rank-E9, Chief Master Sergeant.  At retirement he made his home in Cabot, Arkansas.  In his career, he traveled the world and represented our country, setting foot on all seven continents, including the Arctic Circle.  Mark earned several service medals including the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Vietnam 1969-1970. After retirement from Air Force, Mark went to college and earned an A.A. in Business and Horticulture and a B.S. in Agriculture.

Mark and his wife were avid square dancers.  He served as the Arkansas Square Dance Federation President twice.  Mark won awards for his hybrid blooms and his garden was even featured in the local newspapers.  He was also a member of the Arkansas Iris Society where he also served as president for a term.  Mark loved traveling and travelled around the United States many times as an addition to his career travel.

Mark loved children and when he and Bessie married in 1957, she already had four children; Robert, Dean (deceased), Sharon, and Wanita.  He had a son from a previous marriage, Mark H.  He and Bessie also had two more sons, Ted (deceased) and Kenneth.  All those children he considered his own and loved and reared them as his own.

Mark is survived by his wife, Bessie; four brothers; four sisters; three of the four step-children and two of his three sons.  He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Due to COVID-19, private graveside services will be Friday, November 20, 2020 at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander with Pastor Dennis Wilson officiating.  Pallbearers are Neal Grumbine, Kyle Grumbine, Doug Speer, Jeff Milburn, Shannon Chambers, and Hannah Gordon.  Memorials may be made to the Air Force Aid Society.  Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, (501) 982-2136.