Mark Shively

Mark Shively, 64, of Whitesville, slipped peacefully into the arms of Jesus, December 1, 2024, after a long valiant fight with cancer. He was heroic, yet humble and although cancer was a portion of his journey, there was so much more. Mark, born September 20, 1960, to the late Carroll and Barbara Morris Shively, graduated from Trinity High School in 1978. He first entered the shoe business right out of high school as an employee with Kinney Shoes. Working his way up to store manager at the age of 19, he relocated with the company 5 times! After five years Mark transitioned to Shoe Carnival where he spent sixteen years as a buyer & was instrumental in the national growth of the company during that period. In 1999, after being away for 21 years, he returned to his hometown and made his own dreams a reality in opening Shoe Stop in Owensboro. He later went on to add a second location in 2002 in Mt. Vernon, IL

Mark was incredibly kind, generous, wickedly clever, and loved time with his family. He was serious and business minded, yet took time to enjoy his routine visits to the beaches in Cancun, fish, hunt, and just enjoy the farm. In his effort to offer the very best for his family and community, Mark embodied a well-respected man, influential to those he encountered, and perhaps to his delight, the absolute “Shoe Legend.”  

He is survived by his wife of eighteen years, Robbin Shively; children, Trina (Victor) Figueroa of Bakersfield, CA, Andrea Wise, Justin Wise, Lexie (Brett) Hall of Owensboro, and Mariah (Carl) Sims, of Georgetown; grandchildren, Charlie (Mariam) Perez, Marilyn (Daniel) Perez of Bakersfield, CA, Aidan Wise, Thomas Wise, Jaxon Wise, Lincoln Wise, Layla Hall, Tristan Hall, and Caden Hall, all of Owensboro; two great-grandchildren; siblings, Randall (Randa) Shively of Wayne City, IL; Cindy (Gerald) Mattingly of Whitesville, Tammy Dickey of Wayne City, IL, Julie (Mark) McDonald and Rob (Terra) Shively, both of Owensboro; and a colossal amount of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, business partners, and friends. 

The funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Valley Community Church where visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary of the Woods Cemetery.

In honor of celebrating Mark’s life, Shoe Stop will be closed Friday, December 6, 2024.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Heartford House or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Messages and condolences for the family may be shared at www.glenncares.com.