Mark Christopher Ganger

1968 - 2025

Mark Ganger, age 57, of O'Fallon, Ill., died unexpectedly November 12, 2025 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in O'Fallon. Mark was born March 26, 1968 in Sewanee, Tenn., to Marvin and Sharon, nee Kleopper, Ganger.

As part of a U.S. Air Force family, Mark lived in several locations, including California, Virginia, Arkansas, and Germany, before settling in O'Fallon, following his father's retirement from Scott AFB. When the Ganger family moved to O'Fallon in 1978, they lived right next door to the Cecil family. Mark's father Marvin worked at HQ MAC at Scott AFB, along with Sarah's father Corky Cecil, while serving in the US Air Force. Both Mark and Sarah attended O'Fallon Township High School together for a year, before reconnecting 20 years later. They married May 31, 2014 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in O'Fallon. Daughter Emma was born November 14, 2016.

Mark was a devoted husband to Sarah Elizabeth, nee Cecil, Ganger; and an adoring father to Emma, a third grader at St. Clare Catholic School, who was the light of his life. In addition to Sarah and Emma, he leaves behind his father Marvin Ganger and his current wife Sharon; oldest brother Todd Ganger and his wife Gerilyn and their son James; older brother Kevin Ganger and his wife Catherine and their daughter Jessica and son Trent; parents-in-law Richard "Corky" and Dorcas Cecil; brother-in-law Matt Cecil and his wife, Wendy and their daughter Piper.

Mark, Sarah and Emma were the constants at all of Emma's extracurricular activities, including modeling, tumbling and sports. Daddy Mark was her hairdresser, wardrobe equipment handler, event volunteer, and Sarah was the veteran schedule juggler. Mark's love of math made Emma's homework a special time of togetherness, along with their family love of the Cardinals and Chiefs, watching games together on the couch, and Mark and Sarah volunteering at the concession stands at Busch Stadium.

From high school, Mark studied electrical engineering at DeVry University, then worked as a contractor maintaining helicopter simulators for the Army before returning to O'Fallon to pursue a career as a general contractor and owner of M and R Services. Through scouting and fishing as a child, Mark developed a lifelong love of being outdoors and continued to share this love with his daughter while fishing at the O'Fallon Sportsman's Club and supporting her many outdoor activities. He actively participated in the Belleville Chili Cook-off, and had an award-winning recipe consecutively for three years.

Mark was known for his generosity with his time and talents, and his reliability and willingness to help whenever and wherever help was needed. From building homes for Habitat for Humanity, supporting Emma's school and church communities through various volunteer capacities, Mark would drop everything at any hour for anyone who needed it. Mark never missed a call to help, and he devoted many hours to the O'Fallon Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. In the midst of Blitz Day chaos, the build would progress with Mark in the middle, lending a strong hand to finish the job. He was a member at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, where he served on the security team and as an usher. Mark's generosity continued, even in death, as he was able to be a tissue donor, impacting dozens of lives.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother Sharon.

Memorial donations are suggested to Habitat for Humanity O'Fallon Area Chapter or St Clare Catholic School. Sign the guestbook at www.wfh-ofallon.com.

Visitation: 4 to 8 pm, Sunday, November 23, 2025, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon, and one hour prior to the funeral on Monday.

Funeral will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, November 24, 2025 at the church, with Fr. Nick Junker officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill. Care entrusted to Wolfersberger Funeral home O'Fallon, Ill.