Mark Hanesworth

GUYSVILLE – Mark Hanesworth, 80, of Guysville, went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. He died at Marietta Memorial Hospital in Belpre, Ohio, after an extended illness.

Mark was born on September 2, 1944, in Columbus, Ohio. He was the son of the late Thomas and Mary Long Hanesworth. Mark was raised in Granview and attended The Ohio State University. He met his beloved wife, Greta Beyerl, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while they were both studying art. They were married for 57 wonderful years.

Mark and Greta were married on October 23, 1966, at the Folk Music Center in Columbus, Ohio. Mark served his country in various ways during the Vietnam era, mostly in Boston working with veterans. In California, he was given a special assignment playing music for veterans, who enjoyed the entertainment. During this time, he became a member of a band called Black Swan.

After traveling back and forth from California, they started the Blue Eagle Music store in Athens, Ohio, with Roger and Carol Johnson. Blue Eagle Music store is still a destination location for many musicians that have left the area. In 1991, they sold Blue Eagle to a local musician, Ethan Green, and started homesteading. Mark built his house on a farm in Athens County, which Greta still enjoys to this day.

In 1988, they were thrilled to welcome their son, Matthew Thomas Hanesworth. Mark was a loving husband to Greta and a caring father to Matt.

Mark was a brilliant musician an enjoyed playing music at Central Avenue Methodist Church. Mark and Greta liked to inspire people with old time gospel music. Mark played the guitar and harmonica, and Greta would play the dulcimer. When Mark played with his friends, he always remembered all the words as he would often yell out the chords as they played.

Mark is survived by his wife Greta; son, Matthew; daughter-in-law, Alexis; sisters, Linda Pickering of Chicago and her daughter, Jennifer, and Leah Hanesworth, of Columbus; sister-in-law, Nancy Miller, of California, and her two daughters, Gretchen Weinzimer and Janine Perez.

There will be a celebration of Mark’s remarkable life on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 1:00. The service will be held at Central Avenue Methodist Church, located at 73 Central Avenue in Athens, Ohio.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at ehwfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hughes Funeral Home in Athens.