Mark Pickering

Mark Pickering, 46, of Connersville, died Monday, November 12, 2012 at Lincoln Centers-East. Mark was born in Anderson, February 13th 1966, to Charles and Nita Joan Eshelman Pickering. He was a 1984 graduate of Pendleton Heights High School and graduated from Ball State with a Bachelor of Science degree and from IUPUI with a teaching degree. Mark was employed at Work One in Richmond, and had been employed at the Department of Family and Children Services, Knightstown Soldiers and Sailors Home and Damar residential home in Indianapolis. Mark was an avid traveler and had been to every state expect Alaska and Hawaii. Mark was a member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed reading, cooking and gardening. His main passion was spending time with his daughter and his family. Mark was a very loving and compassionate person who enjoyed being around kids. He was an animal lover, especially cats. Mark is survived by his wife: Valerie Powell Pickering, whom he married on June 13th 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada. his daughter: Elizabeth Jean Pickering; his parents; his siblings and their spouses: Matthew Pickering and Trish of Jasonville, Kathleen Buell and John of Middletown, Christine Storms and John of Katy, Texas; Brian Pickering and Carrie of Alexandria; his mother-in-law: Betty J. Powell of Connersville; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents; his father-in-law: Coy Powell, who died in 2011; and a daughter Margaret Alice Pickering. Funeral services will be conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Rev. Curtis Hurley, from First United Methodist officiating. Cremation will follow. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday where memorial contributions may be made to Fayette County Humane Society or Fayette County Animal Shelter. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.