Born March 21, 1949 in Pekin to Russell and Bernadine (Nau) Happach, he married Jackie Haynes on September 7, 1968 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years; one daughter, Theresa (Scott) Bushong of Pekin; one son, Christopher Happach of Pekin; three grandsons, Montie (Sarah) Wilder of North Pekin, Laurin Pfeiffer-Happach of Pekin and Colton Wilder of Peoria; one sister, Diane Ripper of Pekin and two nephews, David Ripper and Danny Ripper.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mark had worked in maintenance at Caterpillar, Inc. for 35-plus years. Following retirement he continued his career in maintenance at Advanced Technology Service (ATS) in Peoria for five years. He grew up working in the family business, 14th Street Hardware in Pekin.
A loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend, Mark was known as a dad to everyone he knew. He was an avid bowler and bowled in several leagues in the area and was a jack of all trades.
Mark was a longtime member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.
His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Terry Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, 61637.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
