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Mark Vail Obituary

MARK T. VAIL, PhD Mark T. Vail, PhD, age 52, of Lowell, formerly of Highland, IN, passed away Friday, April 17, 2015. He is survived by his brothers and sister; Scott (Laura) Vail of Phoenix, AZ, Sharon Vail of Merrillville, David (Andrew Baker) Vail of Chicago, IL, Jim (Kim) Vail of Griffith; nephews and nieces, Matthew, Megan (fiancée Toby Rasmussen), Kyle, and Amanda; uncle, Vern (late Shirley) Ballah; several cousins; and special friends, Beth Messner and Al English. Mark is preceded in death by his parents: Harold and Jeanette Vail, grandparents: Rose and Fred Lindberg, Elsie and Roy Vail; uncles and aunts, Phyllis (William) Hilbrich, Doris (Dave) Morgan. Funeral Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home and Crematory, 14 Kennedy Ave. (corner of Main and Kennedy), Schererville, IN 46375. Cremation and private burial to follow. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mark was a graduate of Highland High School. He received his bachelor's degree from Ball State, a Master's Degree from Eastern Illinois University and a Master's Degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He later went on to receive his PhD from the University of Memphis. Mark worked as an Associate Professor of English and Rhetoric at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia. His students and colleagues were very dear to him, and it was difficult to leave them when he became ill. Mark was also a member of The Antique Studebaker Club and loved black and white movies. He was dearly loved by his family and will be missed. In lieu of flowers, donations to BeTheMatch.org (bone marrow and stem cell transplant organization) or Freedom Bus c/o Martin Luther King Dream Team, PO Box 1004, Muncie, IN 47308, would be appreciated. "Mark's family would like to thank the nurses, doctors and support staff on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Loyola University Medical Center. Mark was always treated with dignity and compassion by every staff member who helped him. Our family is eternally grateful." solanpruzinfuneralhome.com

Published by The Times from Apr. 19 to Apr. 20, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
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I got to know Mark while we were studying for our Masters Degrees in the Popular Culture Department in Bowling Green, Ohio. I remember him as a kind, easy-going, and very thoughtful person. I'm sorry we hadn't kept in touch after that period in our lives. My condolences, late as they are, to his family and friends.

Ed. Shorer

Friend

August 10, 2020

Many sympathies to Scott and all of Mark's siblings and other family and friends. Reading the messages on this site, it's clear he was an admired and beloved man. We are mourning this loss. May God bless Mark and all who love him.

John Tucker

April 28, 2015

My prayers and thoughts are with Scott and his family during this time. Please know how truly sorry I am to learn about the passing of your brother Mark. May God's eternal love bring comfort and strength to you and your family during this challenging time in your lives.

Susan (Pearce) Levin

April 21, 2015

Rosie....I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like Mark put up a great fight but could not win the battle. I know how hard it is right now but knowing he is at peace does help a little. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. God bless you all.

Cheryl & Don Jones

April 21, 2015

Many Prayers go out to the Vail family....I know how difficult this is having lost my oldest brother as well when he was only 53. Unfortunately I never met Mark but if he was anything like his sister Sharon, I know that he was a WONDERFUL dedicated, loving and caring person...!!! From reading the comments, it sounds as though he was nothing but a TERRIFIC teacher, friend, sibling and human being...my thoughts are with you!!! love, Kathy O.

Kathy Olivotto

April 21, 2015

I knew Mark in high school. We were on the speech and debate team together and became friends. He was witty, unabashedly eccentric, and good-hearted. He was kind. I was so happy when I learned he had finished his PhD and become an academic. He had many interests, but always had the mind of a scholar.

My deep condolences to Scott, David and Sharon and to all his friends.

Gail Coover

April 21, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

April 20, 2015

I got to know Mark at Loyola over the last couple of months, and I will never forget him. He was a fascinating, warm, and passionate man. I enjoyed spending time with Sharon and David during their visits. Your love and support wer so meaningful to Mark, and he loved you so much. My best wishes and prayers to all of Mark's famiy and friends during this difficult time.

Marjorie Newman

April 20, 2015

Mark was a truly remarkable man. We shared many wonderful conversations about being ill and what that does to one's psyche, about facing death and trying to live when life seems to take too much effort, about discovering peace that comes when you realize just how little control resides in your hands. I will never forget the image of him on a float in our pool....dressed in a two piece suit so as not to expose his skin to the sun! He said the hours he spent floating allowed him to sink deep into the peace of knowing how little of much we worry about is really of any significance; what was really important was to take every minute of life as it comes and hold it carefully in one's hands. Happy floating my very dear beloved friend!

Robin O. Harris

April 19, 2015

Mark was my good friend and trusted colleague. We shared many stories of our youth, of our classroom experiences, and of our reluctance to engage with current trends in classroom technology. Nearly every day since he has been away from us at Georgia College, I have thought of something I would like to discuss with him only to remember he is no longer across the hall.

If I, who knew him for a short time, have such fond memories of him, I can only imagine the grief his family is going through. Please take comfort in knowing how many lives he positively influenced.

The world has too few like him, and he left too soon.

John Sirmans

April 19, 2015

Our condolences to an incredible family who always loved and supported their brother. It was our honor to help you all in a time of need.

LUMC Bone Marrow Transplant Unit

April 19, 2015

Much love to all of the Vail family and friends. You are all in my thoughts.

Casey Chapman

April 19, 2015

Mark's friends, students, and colleagues at Georgia College loved and respected him in so many ways. Part of being a teacher is planting seeds by the impact you have on your students. Mark's impact was truly a great one. We will miss him.

Sara Faircloth

April 19, 2015

Dave, Andy & Family,
I am so sorry for your loss! Sending you all love and strength!

Susan Izzarelli

April 19, 2015

I first met Mark when he and my father were in a local play production of "The Odd Couple" ... they were amazing on stage together. Mark and I quickly became friends and I'd stop by his place near Lake Sara on occasion.. we'd sit by the windmill.. talk and laugh.. he sacrificed much to reach his goal of teaching communication.. but he succeeded.. I will always link the memory of Mark to laughter, kindness and positivity .. we have lost a good one.. but he remains alive in our memories and we'd do well to learn from his actions.. so in that way, he is still among us... RIP Mark..

Stephen Griffith

April 19, 2015

Mark jumped into teaching with both feet right from the beginning. Even before the school year started he volunteered to partner up with me to lead a freshman convocation book group. We had a great time! I know my dear friends in the Rhetoric Department are feeling his loss especially acutely, and my heart goes out to them and to Mark's family and friends.

Cynthia Alby

April 19, 2015

In fond memory and gratitude for Mark's peace and comfort

Jennifer Flory

April 19, 2015

Dear Mark,
Though we knew you a short time we could see what a wonderful man you were and so understanding and kind. We we can see how so many people loved you. Wish we had known you longer. Our love and support to Sharon Vail and Dave and all the family. Love, Joe & Jean

April 19, 2015

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Funeral services provided by:

Solan Pruzin Funeral Home & Crematory - Schererville

14 Kennedy Avenue, Schererville, IN 46375

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