Mark M. Hargis

Mark Morrison Hargis, 67 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on August 5, 2023 in Columbia, IL. Mark was born March 24th, 1956, in Red Bud, IL to Byron V. Hargis and Gayle E., nee Morrison, Hargis. He spent most of his childhood living with parents and siblings in Chester, IL. However, he had moved multiple times from Coulterville, to Chester, to Belleville while following his father’s coaching career. Mark was a multi-sport athlete, competing in both basketball and baseball for the Belleville West Maroons in the early 1970’s. His ability earned him a scholarship in baseball to Murray State University. He came back to Belleville in 1976 as a star pitcher who helped lead Belleville Area College to the Illinois JUCO State Championship. He was then recruited and attended Centenary College of Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was a 2 year D1 starting pitcher. Into the 1980’s, Mark competed with the Columbia team in the Mon-Clair Baseball league. His skill and competitive attitude enabled Mark to be a force to be reckoned with on the mound as well as honored on the Belleville West Wall of Honor. A legend. Mark began his 35 year career at Sigma Aldrich / MilliporeSigma in 1985, where he manufactured a diverse product line of bio-chemicals throughout his career. With his extensive background, knowledge and technical expertise, he mentored many production chemists, and collaborated with other departments on high profile projects. He ended his career as a production scientist in June 2020, where he proudly continued to field technical questions from his former colleagues. Mark was a sports fanatic, but his favorite were the St. Louis Cardinals, rarely missing a game. If he wasn’t watching a game, he spent many hours gardening a variety of vegetables, including Heirloom Tomatoes. True to form, Mark carried his passion of research in search of constant knowledge from work to home, spending hours reading up on endless topics. Mark loved sports, but he loved his family even more. He was a loving husband to Marie (Ely) Hargis, a proud father to Kyle (Jenn) Hargis, who followed in his footsteps in baseball, and to Katelyn (Eric) Wildeman, who he was honored to have walked down the aisle in June of 2023. He has two beautiful grandchildren, Mason Hargis, 9, and Lilliana Hargis, 3. If he wasn’t spending time with his family, he was having a cold one with friends, sharing endless stories of the good old days. Also surviving are his sisters, Beverly Hargis and Jocelyn (Gary) King; brother, J.D. Hargis all of Belleville, IL, sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Ralph) Shook of California and Marge (Robert) Mathus of Columbia, IL. In addition to leaving behind his loving family, he leaves behind many dear nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless beloved friends. Mark gave his all to everything he did. His pinnacle achievements in life included his marriage of 33 years to Marie, being a legendary pitcher in a storied baseball career, being a highly-regarded mentor to many, and a loving father to his children, of which he enjoyed watching Kyle reach his potential in his baseball and work career, and seeing Katelyn marry her soul-mate and flourish in her career. For being so complex, he was truly a “Simple Man”. He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron V. and Gayle E., nee Morrison, Hargis; Marie's parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth, nee Schetter, Ely; brother-in-law, Richard Ely; Mark had chosen to be cremated. A Celebration of Mark's Life will take place September 9, 2023 .Celebration of LIfe Open House will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, at Triple Lakes Tavern (Back Bldg), 8055 Triple Lakes Rd., Dupo, IL. You are invited to share a memory through the Mark Hargis Shared Memory Board link: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/vkQ0myHT/markhargis2023 In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: American Heart Association, 460 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141 or Belleville West High School Baseball Program in Honor of Mark Hargis, 4063 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, IL, 62223 Attn.: Athletic Department. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.

Mark M. Hargis

March 24, 1956 - August 5, 2023