Mark Southern

Mark Southern, age 36, of Maple Park, passed away unexpectedly, Monday, June 28, 2004 at Loyola University Hospital, Chicago. Mark was recovering successfully from recent spinal surgery and had celebrated his birthday on Saturday, June 26. Sunday morning however, he was stricken with an unexplained infection that rapidly overwhelmed every medical effort to stop it. EARLY YEARS Mark was born June 26, 1968 in Chicago, IL, the son of Billy and Helen (Delgado) Southern. When he was nine, his family moved to West Chicago, IL where Mark grew up and graduated from West Chicago High School.Following graduation, Mark began learning the painting trade from his father. Their name was Quality Painting and their work was well known throughout the area. In 1995, Mark took over the business and continued the tradition of Quality Painting under the name "Painting Concepts". In the intervening years, Mark married and was blessed with three children that became his entire world. Following high school, he dated a circle of high school girlfriends but it was the last one that stole his heart. On October 20 of 1990, Mark was united in marriage to Christine Marie Geltz.They made their home in West Chicago where Mark, Meggen and Morgan, were born. Then, in 1998 they brought their family to the Maple Park-Lily Lake area where they settled in the present family home. LIFE NOTES Friendly, outgoing and first to lend a hand, Mark was the kind of man who never met a stranger or forgot a friend. Through the years Chris would be amazed that no matter where she traveled with her husband, he would spot someone he knew! He always had time and he always had a story. So it will be that Mark will be remembered far and wide as long as there are stories to tell. More than all the world, however, Mark’s life was lived through his children. From baseball to Brownies, Daddy & Daughter Nights and father & son projects, he did everything with his kids. SURVIVORS In addition to his wife, Chirstine and their three children, Mark, Meggen and Morgan, he is survived by his mother:Helen Southern of Elburn, one brother: Billy Gene Southern, Jr. of Elburn,Two sisters-in-law, Cindy (Ray) Soto, of Maple Park andTerri (Rick) Torres of West Chicago, ILhis mother-in-lawSharon Geltz of St. Charles, ILand father-in-law Marshal Geltz of West ChicagoSix nephews and one niece.In addition he leaves an unnumbered "family of friends".PRECEDEDMark is preceded in death by his father, Billy Southern, And one brother, Joseph Anthony Southern;His maternal grandparents: Lucy and Ralph Perez, andpaternal grandparents: Ruby and Lloyd Southern. MEMORIALSMemorials to benefit his children may be made to the Mark Southern Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.

VISITATION -Visitation will be held Thursday, July 1, 2004 from 3-9pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL and Friday morning at St. Mary’s Church, West Chicago for one hour before mass from 9-10am. FUNERAL: His funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, July 2, 2004, 10am, St. Mary Church, West Chicago, Fr. Burke Masters will officiate.

Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery, Winfield, IL.