Mark Everhart

Mark Alan Everhart, 40, Paola, died peacefully Friday, December 4, 2009, surrounded by his immediate family. Mark was born to Alan and Lisa Everhart in Paola, Kansas on August 6, 1969. Mark was a life-long resident of Paola and the surrounding areas. Even as a child, Mark loved playing outdoors and spending time with family members enjoying water skiing and motorcycles. This interest led to his love of playing sports throughout his life; including playing in the state championship high school football game for Class 4A in 1987. Mark, at an early age, learned to water ski and slalom and at the age of 14, learned to barefoot water ski. He barefooted his last run on September 9, 2009. Mark also tournament slalom water skied and represented the state of Kansas at the INT National Championships in October, 1999. Mark met the love of his life, Ruth Sheldon, in 1991. On October 15, 1994, they were united in marriage at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, Kansas. After marriage, they established their home in Paola. They were blessed with the birth of three children: a son, Nicholas Joseph and two daughters, Ashley Johanna and Emery Elizabeth. Mark also enjoyed cutting firewood. His firewood business, along with college football scholarships, resulted in a Bachelor of Science Degree from Emporia State University in December, 1992. Mark developed his skills at his first job with Salvajor, Inc. He then worked in inside sales and was eventually promoted to sales operations manager for Medi-Flex, Inc. where he worked for over eight years. All who knew Mark, a man of great integrity, were aware of his charitable, honest and kind and giving nature. This made him a great husband, father and friend. His great faith and love of God and Jesus helped sustain his success in all he endeavored. He always put the welfare and need of others first. Mark was a positive and loving influence to his family and large circle of friends. Mark was diagnosed on his 39th birthday with Stage IV inoperable lung cancer. He fought the battle with his faith in God, prayer, positive attitude, radiation, chemotherapy, and nutrition. After a hard-fought 15 month battle, with great loss and sadness to all - the Lord called him home. Mark was preceded in death by his son, Nicholas; his grandmothers, Irene Peuser and Jean Everhart. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and daughters, Ashley and Emery, his parents, Alan and Lisa Everhart all of Paola, Kansas. His sister, Gretchen Everhart, of Overland Park, Kansas; his brother, Michael Everhart, of Paola, Kansas. His grandfathers, Bill Peuser and Dale Everhart, both of Paola, Kansas. A Rosary will be held on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. A visitation will immediately follow from 5:30-9:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, Kansas followed by a burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Mark Everhart Memorial Fund for Holy Trinity, the LUNGevity Foundation and the Mastocytosis Society. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Service: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 10:30 AM Visitation: Monday, December 07, 2009 Rosary at 5PM , Visitation 5:30PM to 9:00 PM