Mark Alan Meservey

Mark Alan Meservey passed away on Dec. 30, 2021 at the age of 70.  Surviving him are his wife of 20 years, Amy Timmer, his daughter Caitlin Meservey, his sister Kathy Hilla and her husband Mike, his sister Beverly Freeman and her husband Pat, nephews Mark E. Meservey, Matthew Hilla, and Michael Hilla, and niece Lisa Hazel. He also leaves behind his former wife Sheila (Deveney) Jacobs and Caitlin’s half-sister Erin Jacobs. Mark was preceded in death by his father Harold E. Meservey, his mother Helen (Ribko) Meservey, and his brother Genar E. Meservey.

Mark was born in Peoria, Illinois but grew up on his family’s Wilder Creek Farm south of Marshall, MI.  He helped his father take care of the farm, and fondly remembers laying in the meadow with the new-born foals. When Mark was in 8th grade, his family moved to Memphis, TN and he spent his formative years immersed in the music of Stax Records; his first 8-track tape was by “The Wicked” Wilson Pickett. He witnessed the birth of the civil rights movement in the south, and remembers the killing of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, both of which left a huge impression on him.  He attended Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, which he credits with giving him an exceptional education.  He returned to Marshall for his last year of high school, and counts many Marshall friends from those days as among his best. Back in Michigan, Mark spent some of the best times of his life at his family’s cottage on Harsens Island, chugging for walleye in the St. Clair River.

Mark earned Bachelors of Science and Masters in Food Science degrees from Michigan State University. His early work was in various laboratories researching infectious diseases, but the Food Science degree led him to the food industry.  He worked in Battle Creek for Post Cereals and later spent a decade working in Quality Assurance for Domino’s Pizza Corporation in Ann Arbor as it expanded across the nation in the 80’s.  Mark recounts these times as his best—traveling across the country to test the food products of suppliers who could meet the standards he had.  He especially enjoyed the California life as he searched for the perfect tomatoes for the pizza sauce.

Mark retired in the mid 90s to work with his hands and muscles, which he craved.  He started painting homes and soon began rebuilding them. He lovingly worked on every inch of two homes on N Drive North for years, learning everything he could about construction.  With that knowledge, he was able to be the builder’s supervisor on the dream home he rebuilt in Okemos where he and Amy spent their last days together.

For the last two years, Mark battled a rare neurological disorder called Facial Onset Sensory Motor Neuronopathy that sapped the strength from his muscles.  He faced his condition with grace and acceptance, as there is no treatment or cure. He died peacefully just as he wanted—in his sleep, in his own bed, in the house he built, with Amy by his side.

Should anyone wish to recognize his life in a lasting and impactful way, donations may be made in his name to Christian Brothers High School in Memphis.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. Following the service, a reception will be held in the Kempf Reception Center. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 12 p.m. until time of the service. The family respectfully asks that all in attendance wear a mask or face covering, while inside the building. Please visit https://www.kempffhuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, or leave messages for the family.