Mark Scallon

ELLENDALE -- Mark William Scallon, 49, attorney and general manager of Dickey Rural Telephone Cooperative, died Feb. 15, 2005, at his home, surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at St. Helena's Catholic Church, Ellendale, with the Rev. Gary Luiten officiating. The cremated remains will be spread in a private gathering of immediate family members in a special place of Mark's request.

A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. today at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.

Mark, the son of Quin and Delane Scallon, was born Nov. 23, 1955, in Ellendale. He graduated from Monango High School in 1974 and received a degree in criminal justice from the University of North Dakota. He received his juris doctorate from UND in 1987 and began working at Diemert Law Office in Ellendale, where he became a partner and assumed the duties of Dickey County States Attorney.

Mark married Cathy Zahn Dec. 27, 1991, in Ellendale. In 1993, Mark started Scallon Law Firm, P.C. and continued to practice law until May 2003, when he accepted the challenge as general manager of Dickey Rural Telephone Cooperative. Mark was admired by his family, friends, co-workers and board members as he continued as general manager through his courageous year-long battle with cancer.

Mark was a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, North Dakota Long Distance Board, Dakota Carrier Network Board, Registered Lobbyists, Democratic Party and St. Helena's Catholic Church of Ellendale. He was a past president of the Ellendale Country Club, served on the Ellendale Park Board and was an honorary Taekwondo black belt.

Mark is survived by his wife, Cathy Scallon; two daughters and one son-in-law, Brandi Zahn and Tanya and Steve King; his parents, Quin and Delane Scallon; three grandchildren, Amanda, Dani and Gabriel; two brothers, Paul Scallon and Mike Scallon; one sister, Mariann Baker; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Throughout his lifetime Mark's genuine smile and dynamic personality touched many lives. He will be greatly missed.