Mark Wayne Fenimore, age 75, passed away at home on Thursday, September 28th.
Mark was the son of Buford and Blanche (Sellers) Fenimore. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, but the family moved to Cherokee, Kansas when Mark was very young. Mark attended school in Cherokee grades K-12 and was a proud member of the Class of 1966. Those class members (and others) would probably agree that his emphasis in school was on fun. In later years, Mark completed an associate degree from Labette Community College. Mark and Diana Pallett were married in 1968, and to that union, Todd and Jodi were born. In 1987, Mark married Bonnie Russell and added stepson Brady Russell to his family. They moved to Pittsburg for the last 35 years of Mark’s life.
Mark was always 150% into whatever his current interest might be, including race cars, fishing, lure collecting, target shooting and more. Mark enjoyed life and people. He was a supportive and loving husband, father, and friend. He had a number of jobs over his working life and retired after almost 25 years as a building inspector, first for the City of Pittsburg and then the City of Joplin. Mark was baptized as an adult at the First Christian Church (DOC) of Pittsburg and was a member.
Mark is survived by his wife, Bonnie; son, Todd; daughter, Jodi Craddock; stepson, Brady Russell; grandsons, Caleb Fenimore and Jase Thompson; and great-grand-daughters, Kinsey and Kaylee. He is also survived by sister Judy Francis and bother-in-law Herb of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Austin Fenimore.
Mark’s final years were complicated by dementia, and many friends have supported the family during this journey. However, Toni Cottone was a special support for most of the last two years. At the end, Harry Hynes Hospice and Toni provided exemplary care to both Mark and Bonnie. To them and all our friends and church family, we will be forever grateful.
A memorial service for Mark is planned for Wednesday, October 4th at 11:00 a.m., at the First Christian Church in Pittsburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church or Harry Hynes Hospice.
