Mark Edward Roberts

April 3, 1961 – September 5, 2022

Mark Edward Roberts started his life on April 3, 1961 in Kokomo, Indiana. His earliest

ambition was to be a teacher, and he is one of the rare souls whose calling guided him

throughout his life.

Mark’s education included Western High School (’79), a BS in Music Education at Ball

State University (’84), and a Masters in Music Education at Indiana State University

(’90). He grew up in the First Baptist Church of Russiaville, Indiana.

He touched thousands of lives throughout his career and lived his life in service to

others, both through teaching and through his military career. He began as a choir

director and assistant band director at South Vermillion in Clinton, Indiana, and then

served a year as Choir Director at Bishop Lures High in Fort Wayne, Indiana. For the

next 18 years he was the Band and Orchestra Director at Oak Hill High in Converse

Indiana. He was active in community theatre in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he

conducted the orchestra and provided vocal and instrumental training.

Mark then came to central Florida where for ten years he was the Itinerate Orchestra

Director for the Osceola School District, from which he retired in 2021. To increase his

impact, he taught private music lessons. Mark’s proudest accomplishment in life was

seeing his students become successful.

Mark also served in the 38th Army National Guard Infantry Division Band as a Staff

Sergeant (1980-2008) and had the privilege of singing the National Anthem with the

Army Navy Airforce Marine Quartet for the Indianapolis 500 in 2006.

God sent Leny Perez to Mark and they were married on July 4th, 2021.

Mark is survived by his sister Lois (Jack) Johnson, niece Jami (Friend) Cherry,

Nephews Matt, Marty, and Mark Johnson, Charles and Tom Cherry, several great and

great-great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by parents Elmer Ray Roberts

and Lydia Bell Roberts, sister Norma Cherry, brothers Max and Tommy Ray Roberts

and Grandmother Epsie Roberts.

We remember Mark as a caring person who made a difference in people’s lives. He

enjoyed playing piano to relax and listening to favorite pieces like Brahms’ Requiem and

Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. The one thing he wanted us all to learn from him is to not

worry too much – don’t hold on to negativity.

Request for Donations in Mark’s Honor

Mark’s life was dedicated to uplifting others through music and bringing the arts to the

community. He performed with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park since 2011.

The Society performs both premier works and original compositions in pursuit of their

mission of “inspiring the human spirit through great music”.

Please direct donations to https://www.bachfestivalflorida.org/giving.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grissomfh.com for the Roberts family.