Mark Mraz

Dr. Mark Mraz, 62, of Slippery Rock Borough, Butler County, passed away at his residence Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014. He was born in Kittanning, Armstrong County, to Mike Mraz and Lena Trombetta Mraz. He married Sue Ginther of St. Marys Aug. 9, 1975. A 1969 graduate of Ford City High School, he received his undergraduate degree and Master's Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While at IUP, he was an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Dr. Mraz received his PhD in curriculum and instruction at Penn State University in 1995. He taught history and social studies at St. Marys Area High School from 1973 until 2002. He also coached both the Varsity and Junior Varsity football teams. Dr. Mraz came to Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2002 to teach social studies education in the Secondary Education/Foundations of Education Department. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Chapter 13943 of Slippery Rock, PSEA and APSCUF. Inspired by his father who served in World War II, spoke five languages, helped to liberate the concentration camp at Dachau and guarded prisoners during the Nuremberg Trials, Dr. Mraz loved the study of history and traveled extensively with family to visit historic sites. Dr. Mraz had a particular affinity for the Civil War and Pennsylvania history. Dr. Mraz recently published "A Primer on the History Philosophy of Education" and was working on a book about President James Buchanan. He was a member of St. Peter Parish in Slippery Rock. Survivors include his wife, Sue Mraz, of Slippery Rock; two daughters, Rose Ann Mraz (a human rights attorney in San Francisco) and her partner, Scott Hoffman, of Alameda, Calif., Leah Sue Mraz (a special education teacher) and her husband, Adam Windisch, of Shenandoah Junction, W. Va.; his mother, Lena Mraz, of Kittanning; and a brother, Michael George Mraz and his wife, Lillian, of Ford City. He is preceded in death by his father. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, in St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 670 S. Main St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057, with Father Kevin Poecking, pastor of St. Peter, presiding. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at the SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.