Mark B. Chartrand

1941 - 2021

Mark Bernard Chartrand, 80, Washington, passed away Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, after a heartbreaking battle with COVID-19.

Mark was born March 9, 1941, to Bernard and Louise Chartrand of University City. He graduated from St. Louis University High School in 1959 and served two years in the U.S. Army until his honorable discharge in 1965.

Mark worked in car sales in St. Louis, Washington and Union. After he retired from sales, he worked part time as a school bus monitor for First Student in Washington until his passing.

In 1967, Mark met Elizabeth "Betty" Reese on a blind date. He proclaimed he was going to marry her on that very first date, and they wed in 1968 and spent 53 years together. Mark was an incredible father to his daughters, Annie and Katie, and was actively involved in their interests and activities. He coached Katie's grade school volleyball team and traveled as far as Maine for Annie's BB gun competitions. Mark loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they brought him nothing but joy in his later years.

Mark loved to hunt (especially ducks), garden, watch movies and basically could never sit still. One of the last things he said was to ask how his beloved dog, Coco, was doing. He made sure his family was surrounded by a menagerie of animals, whether it be chickens, turkeys, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, snakes, lizards or rodents. He simply loved animals, and they loved him. He might have been a veterinarian in a parallel universe. He was an entertaining bingo caller every week at the senior center.

Above all else, Mark made it obvious how much he adored Betty and demonstrated to his girls what a great husband and father should be. He made a positive impression on everyone he met and will be deeply missed by his family, friends and everyone who knew him.

Mark is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty; his children, Katie (Greg) Meyer and Ann (Jeremy) Chartrand; grandchildren, Kelsey (Andrew) Reprogle, Alli Meyer and Eric Meyer; great-grandchildren, Cash and Cooper Reprogle; and his brothers, Richard (Ingrid), Daniel (Jan) and Jack (Christine).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Louise, and his sister- and brother-in-law, Gail and Samuel Vandover.

It was Mark's desire that there be no services.

His family is requesting that eligible people receive their COVID-19 vaccinations, continue to use masks indoors and around large groups of people and observe appropriate social distancing.

Many thanks to the employees at Mercy Hospital Washington for their care and compassion for Mark and his family.

The Chartrand family was served by Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.