Ernest W. Marks

1934 - 2025

It was a wonderful life. On December 26, the day after Christmas 2025, a bell rang and 91 year-old Ernest William Marks got his wings.
Born on March 28, 1934 to Geneva Salsman (formerly Marks) and Fred Marks in Hannibal, Missouri, Ernest "Ernie" Marks began his nine-decades journey that concluded at his home in Springfield, Illinois surrounded by friends and family in a house filled with love.
Ernie was a proud graduate of Hannibal High School, class of 1952 where he played basketball and met his first wife Carole Bradshaw (nee Payne). After high school, Ernie landed a job as a telegrapher for the Wabash Railroad. Carole and Ernie raised three boys living in Hannibal and Staunton, Granite City, and Griggsville, Illinois. After 13 years on the railroad, Ernie went to work in Meredosia, Illinois for Mobil Chemical and finished his career as a maintenance worker for Southern Illinois University Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, retiring in 1996.
After divorcing in 1980, Ernie remarried Alice Kluzek (nee Harton) in 1984 and spent the next 38 years in a loving relationship inheriting Alice's six children and blending their families. Ernie and Alice enjoyed fishing, golfing, bowling, Cardinals' baseball, and anything Missouri Tigers, but the greatest joy in their lives was family, especially their 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Later in life when Alice needed care in a nursing home, Ernie visited her nearly every day for eight years before her passing in 2018, highlighting a remarkable four-decade romance.
Ernie is survived by 6 of the 9 children of his blended family including, Marty Marks of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Mickey Marks and wife Laura of Jacksonville, Illinois; Jeff Marks of Springfield, Illinois; Evelyn Rousciolelli and husband Bill of Charlotte, North Carolina; Sandy Veith of Springfield, Illinois; David Kluzek and wife Dana of Lubbock, Texas; all of his 22 grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister-in-law Jan Harton Dullenty and husband Morris; and best friends Tom Zimmerman and Gloria Fader. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice and children Joy Ann Lacharite, Keith Kluzek, and Stan Kluzek, Jr.
The family will hold a memorial service for Ernie at a date and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in the name of Ernie to Contact Ministries of Springfield, Illinois or your favorite charity.