Mark S Schreiber

Mark Stephen Schreiber, 79, of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Capital Region Medical Center.
Mark was born on February 25, 1946, in Springfield, Missouri, to the late Harry O. and Eva Louise (Giboney) Schreiber. In September 1954, the family moved to Jefferson City. A 1964 graduate of Jefferson City Senior High School, Mark attended Central Missouri State College and finished his B.S. degree in Management from Sterling College. Later in life, Mark completed an M.S. degree in Criminal Justice at Columbia College, where he also taught for several years.
In 1978, Mark married Deborah (Debbie) F. Tritsch, his beloved wife of 47 years, who survives at the home.
Mark spent his 44-year career in the field of criminal justice, beginning in 1968 as a Corrections Officer and English and Art Teacher at the Missouri State Penitentiary. During his distinguished career, Mark became the first commissioned undercover narcotics officer for the Cole County Sheriff's Department in 1970 and later served as the Chief Investigator for the Sheriff's Office and the Cole County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. In 1982, Mark became the first Chief Internal Affairs Investigator for the Department of Corrections. In 2001 he became final Deputy Warden of Operations at the old Missouri State Penitentiary (until it closed in 2004), and in 2004 he was appointed the first Deputy Warden of Operations at the new Jefferson City Correctional Center. For the Department of Corrections, Mark spearheaded many important initiatives, including developing Use of Force Standards procedures, establishing Emergency Management Procedures, and helping to establish the Special Tactics, Assault and Response Team, before retiring in 2010. Mark was awarded the Missouri Department of Corrections Director's Coin of Excellence and received resolutions from the Missouri Senate and House of Representative in recognition of his service in criminal justice.
Mark was passionate about local history and spent much of his spare time researching, collecting artifacts, and writing numerous articles about Missouri history. He authored three books that explored this history of the Missouri State Penitentiary: Somewhere in Time (2004), Shanks to Shakers (2011), and Forgotten Shadows (2023). These books thoroughly recounted the history of the prison and respectfully preserved the stories of those who resided there. He was a strong supporter of local historical museums and archives, donating over 5,000 photographs and documents to the Missouri State Archives, providing hundreds of objects to support the opening of the Missouri State Penitentiary History Museum, and establishing the Missouri State Penitentiary Tours. Mark received the Jonas Viles Award from the Friends of the Missouri State Archives for his efforts in preserving Missouri history.
Mark was always devoted to serving and promoting the Jefferson City community. He served as a board member of the City of Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Cole County Historical Society, Historic City of Jefferson Foundation, and the Board of Governors for Capital Regional Hospital, and he was a member of the State Penitentiary Redevelopment Commission. He also was Board Member and President of the Riverview Cemetery Association and Board Member and Chair of the City of Jefferson Cemetery Commission. Mark was elected to the Jefferson City Council for four terms as the 5th Ward councilman. In recognition of his work on behalf of the city, Mark received a lifetime achievement award from the Historic City of Jefferson and a key to the city.
Mark also loved being a part of social and civic organizations, including the Host Lions Club; Sons of the American Revolution; Sons of Union Veterans; Sons of Confederate Veterans; and the Knights of Columbus Council #14906, Immaculate Conception Church for which he served as the First Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Dan C. Coppin Council as a 4th Degree Knight, and served as the District Deputy for the Knights of Columbus District 20.
Mark was a man with a kind heart who loved animals, including the wildlife in his neighborhood, and he had a meticulous eye, which he would apply to his yard, his home, and to his lovingly curated holiday decorations. Mark was always happy spending time with his friends, whether in his many organizations or with his morning coffee comrades at Three Story Coffee. Mark also took great pride in his children, whose creativity, strength, and humor brought joy to his life. His final days were spent in the company of his family and a bevy of friends.
Mark is survived by his wife, children Kent Schreiber (Sabrina) of Conway, AR; Sara "Morgan" Casey (Quin) of Roseville, CA; and Ryan Schreiber (April) of Clarksville, TN; his brother Kirk Schreiber (Sharon) of Jefferson City; his half-sister, Linda Parker (Donald) of Covington, LA; his grandchildren Lexy Schreiber, Sophie Schreiber, Christopher Simms, Jaela Dudley, Marshall Schreiber, and Ryan Schreiber, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elaine Schollmeyer.
Friends will be received from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, November 24, 2025 at Houser-Millard Funeral Home, Jefferson City, where funeral services will follow at 12 p.m. with Rev. Samuel Powell officiating. Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery. At Mark's request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Riverview Cemetery Association, Jefferson City Animal Shelter, or The Salvation Army of Jefferson City.
Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO, 65109, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com.