Ivan "DeWayne" Mize's Obituary
Decatur-Ivan “DeWayne” Mize, 61, of Decatur, passed away Monday, March 31, 2014 in his home.
DeWayne was born February 26, 1953 in Des Arc, Missouri, the son of Ivan Mize and Wilma and William Earl Dean. He was a talented singer and songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee writing songs like “Finally Friday” for George Jones, and other songs for Guy Stevens, Earl Thomas Connelly, and the Bluegrass Boys. He loved doing charity work and fundraising for Carter’s Crusade for Melanoma Research, Cystic Fibrosis, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where at Christmas he would go and perform for the kids. He was a minor league pitching prospect with the St. Louis Cardinals until he was injured. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and loved fishing and hunting. He married Louise Schoonover September 16, 2013.
DeWayne leaves behind his wife Louise, son Wesley Mize, daughter Amy Mize, stepfather William Dean, stepdaughters Morgan Brooks, Theresa Adams, Tracie Aldrich, and Angel Barnett, step-granddaughter Brooks Brooks, brother Mark Dean, and sisters Carol (Fred) Goad, Cathy (Steve) Southard, and Paula Garland.
DeWayne was reunited in Heaven with his mother.
Services to celebrate DeWayne’s life will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2014 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the wishes of the family in c/o Louise Mize.
The family of Ivan DeWayne Mize is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Ivan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ivan?
Share a story where Ivan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ivan you’ll never forget.
How did Ivan make you smile?