Mark Eldon Gillespie, age 56, of Grainfield, Kansas, passed away August 10, 2021, due to complications from COVID, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. His battle with Parkinson’s Disease issues in recent years showed his courage, strength, and will while facing life’s challenges with a smile on his face. Despite the pain, Mark stayed strong until the end.
Mark was born on December 24, 1964, to William and Beulah Gillespie in Quinter, Kansas. He attended Grainfield public schools and graduated from Wheatland High School in 1982. He then attended Dodge City Community College and earned an Applied Science Degree with a certification in Diesel Mechanics. He worked for Kindsvatter Trucking and Kansas Feed in Dodge City for many years before moving to Tennessee.
From there, He worked for Broughton Trucking for 10 years before he opened his own business “Mark’s On the Spot Mobile Truck Repair.” His hobbies other than his passion for mechanics were collecting, shooting, and cleaning his guns. Mark will be remembered for how loving and caring he was and how he enjoyed helping anyone he could. He loved being around his family and many friends.
Mark is survived by his son Matthew Stranghoner and wife Angela and grandkids Nicholas, Nevaeh, and Mattalynn, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Aunt Lois Campbell of Overland Park, Kansas; nephews Kevin Gillespie and wife Melissa, and great-nephews Parker and Maxx of Roscoe, Texas, and Corey Gillespie and wife Alicia and great-nephews Canaan and Payton of Roscoe, Texas; sister-in-law Gloria Gillespie of Roscoe, Texas; as well as numerous cousins.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, William and Beulah Gillespie; brothers Kim, Terry, Kyle, Lyle, and Gail; sister, Diane; and grandparents Joseph and Myrtle Maddox, and Marion Abner and Ocie Gillespie.
A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 21, 2021, also at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, with Stan Smith officiating. A graveside service will then take place at the Grainfield Cemetery, Grainfield, Kansas.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S. Main St. Quinter, Kansas 67752.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com