Mark S Mcewen

Mark Spencer McEwen, Ravenna, died Oct. 3, 2023. He was 77.  Preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Thomas (Bud), and his son, Scott Liston. He is survived by his loving wife JoAnn, to whom he has been married for 38 years; children Shawn (Shonnie Brothers) Liston; Heather (Bryon) Bradley; Meghan (Ryan Cooley); Colin (Kelly Flamos) McEwen.  He’s also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Todd Bradley (Courtney Sveda); Haley (Dacota) Craft; Lindsey (Pablo) Flores; Isaac (Paige) Liston; Cass, Ollie, and Iris Cooley, and Ruby, Clyde and Stelio McEwen; and two great-great-children, Isaiah and Kade. Mark, a veteran of the Vietnam War, served in the United States Navy. After retiring from more than 40 years at the Record-Courier, where he worked in advertising, Mark took part-time jobs as a courier at Portage Community Bank and at Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Home, where he was known (and requested) for his comforting, compassionate presence. An active member and pillar of his community, where he’d lived his entire life, he coached several softball teams, volunteered for various events and activities and served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. Mark was actively involved with his church,  University Church (Kent Presbyterian Church), where he served as an elder several times, led mission trips with the college students he mentored, and was recognized with an honorary award from the Women’s Association. He was known for his quick, jolly humor and immense kindness. A friend to many, Mark didn’t know a stranger. He loved trains (and train trips), history, fish fries, his fireplace, and above all, cheering for his beloved Ohio State football team. More often than not, he got the correct answer on Final Jeopardy. He enjoyed traveling, including trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Ireland and Italy in the past few years. He was an extraordinary father and grandfather and loved attending his grandchildren’s track meets, soccer games, concerts and wrestling matches. He and JoAnn took each grandchild on a 10th-birthday-trip, and delighted in introducing a new generation of Buckeye fans to spring training. And in the joyful, generous spirit that only Mark McEwen could inhabit, he dressed up as Santa Claus during the holidays, bringing his children (as elves) along to spread holiday cheer and sing Christmas carols to seniors in local nursing homes. Calling hours will take place at Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, with a viewing to take place at 10 a.m. and service to follow at University Church (Kent Presbyterian Church) at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6.  In honoring, Mark’s request, cremation has taken place and private family burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery Ravenna, Ohio.  He requested that in lieu of flowers memorial donations please be made to donor’s favorite charity, Kateri Medical Services 11 Church St. Tariffville, Conn. 06081, or University Church Kent, Ohio.  Condolences and memories of Mark may be shared with his family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.