Dr. Mark E. Headings

Dr. Mark E. Headings, age 87, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024, after a period of declining health.
Mark was born on a grass seed farm in Halsey, Oregon, on May 2, 1937, to the late Emery and Nona (Kropf) Headings. A graduate of Western Mennonite High School, he pursued higher education at Hesston College and Goshen College before earning his M.S. in 1971 and his Ph.D. in Forest Entomology in 1975 from Michigan State University.
On June 13, 1964, Mark married Mary Wenger in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. They had three children and ten grandchildren. Mark loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a person of integrity, kindness, and unwavering devotion to those he loved and the community he served.
Mark dedicated his career to education and research, serving for two years at the University of Guam and for thirty-five years as Professor of Entomology at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, where he mentored students and conducted research on various plants and insects. He retired in 2013.
Mark was a hobby farmer, beekeeper, and avid traveler-hobbies that reflected his love of creation and curiosity about the world. In their retirement years, he and Mary split their time between Ohio and Arizona, where he loved to hike, collect insects, and watch birds.
A man of deep faith, Mark was an active member of The Gideons International, Smithville Mennonite Church (OH), and Christ Chapel (AZ). He did two years of alternative service with PAX in Greece and other European countries and served alongside Mary in Haiti for two years with Mennonite Central Committee.
Mark will be greatly missed by his wife, Mary; their children Lisa (Michael) Amstutz, Leon (Amy) Headings, and Bruce (Rachel) Headings; and grandchildren Katelyn, Rebekah, Levi, and Hannah Amstutz; Miriam, Jacob, and Ezra Headings; and Ethan, Olivia, and Peyton Headings. Mark is also survived by his sister-in-law Vivian Headings and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Verle Headings and Donna Brubaker; brother-in-law Roy Brubaker; and sister-in-law Diana Headings. His brother Jay Headings passed away on 12/30/2024.
Calling hours will be held on January 11, 2025, at Smithville Mennonite Church, 6097 Akron Road, Smithville, from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm. Services will follow at 2:00 pm, with Pastor Todd Martin officiating. Burial will take place at the Smithville Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International: Wayne County West Camp (P.O. Box 794, Wooster, OH 44691; gideons.org) or Mennonite Central Committee (P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501; mcc.org).