Mark Schrader

On March 31, 2012, Richard Mark Schrader made his eternal tee time. Mark was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1960, at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He moved with his family to Fort Smith in 1973 where he graduated from Fort Smith Southside High School in 1979. Mark was a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, and he owned and operated S&S Trucking.

Mark married his high school sweetheart, Donna, in 1980, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Mark loved playing softball, where his mantra was “if you hit the ball over the fence, you don’t have to run; you can walk.” Mark took every opportunity to play golf with his family and friends, and he enjoyed fishing and camping. You’d be hard pressed to catch Mark without a smile on his face and a joke at the ready regardless of what he was doing.

Mark is survived by his wife of 31 years, Donna; his mother, Betty Ruth Schrader; three brothers, Mike Schrader of Hot Springs, Steven Schrader and wife, Heather, and Scott Schrader and wife, Kim, of Little Rock; three brothers-in-law, Charles Pschier, Jerry Pschier and wife Shirley, and Roger Pschier and wife Phyllis, all of Greenwood; and one sister-in-law, Ann Tucker and husband, Warren, of Dayton, Arkansas; and 19 nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. Mark is preceded in death by his father, Johnie Richard Schrader.

The family will visit with friends and loved ones at Edwards Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be 2pm Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, with burial afterward at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith, in view of the baseball fields where Mark’s love of baseball and softball began. Mark respectfully requests that those in attendance wear proper golf attire, including collared shirt.

Pallbearers will be Mike Schrader, Steven Schrader, Scott Schrader, Carl Henson, Larry Otwell, Jerry Pschier, Roger Pschier, Warren Tucker, and Charles Pschier. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Brown, Mike Lee, Greg Whitsett, Les Lester, David Willard, Roy Burton, and Steve Cannon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First Tee of Fort Smith because of Marks’ love of golf, or Mercy Foundation of Fort Smith for all that was done for Mark. First Tee contributions may be sent to 5800 Geren Road, Fort Smith, AR 72916. Mercy Foundation contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 17000, Fort Smith, AR 72917.

Arrangements under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith. To place an online tribute, please go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.