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BORN
1976
DIED
2019
Mark Cowgill Obituary
Born: February 10, 1976
Died: August 8, 2019
Mark Thomas Cowgill, age 43, suffered a massive heart attack and passed away on August 8, 2019. He was born February 10, 1976 in Joliet, Illinois and most recently resided in Sanger, Texas. Mark's vocation and passion was the culinary arts. He worked his way from Sous Chef at the Hollywood Casino in Joliet, to Executive Chef at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, Minnesota, and finally to Food and Beverage Director at the largest casino in the world, WinnStar in Oklahoma.
A graduate of Plainfield schools, he met the love of his life, Holly Brooks in the Plainfield High School Band. They were married August 3, 2002 and had three children, Thomas Allen, Jack Warren and Ellen Rachel, all of whom he loved and enjoyed.
In addition to his immediate family, Mark is survived by his parents, Thomas and Sandra Cowgill, his sister Jennifer (Corwin) Sandusky, brother James (Rachel) Cowgill, his grandfather Warren Cowgill, his in-laws Allen and Jackie Brooks, and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Mark was a member of the Detroit Lakes Methodist Church and a proud tenor in the church choir. He was a life-long Bears, Cubs and Blackhawks fan. He had a sparking, if somewhat zany, sense of humor and a love of life that infected all around him. Everyone who worked with Mark liked and respected him as a hard worker and a great boss.
A Memorial Service will be held on August 31, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church on Western and Raynor Avenues in Joliet, Illinois. Visitation will begin at 2:00pm with the service following at 4:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider either making a financial contribution directly to Holly Cowgill for family expenses, or to custodial accounts that have been established for the Cowgill family, through Thrivent Financial. Checks can be made payable to "Thrivent Mutual Funds" and mailed to Thrivent Financial ATTN: Brian Steward, 4500 N Prospect Ave. Suite 200, Peoria Heights, IL 61616. For additional information, please contact Trecia King at [email protected] or 309-306-7038.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark Cowgill
Robert Graef
December 18, 2019
My deepest condolences to Sandy's and Tom's family and Mark's, I just got this news while I was looking through Facebook.
Doug & Carol Fabre
September 2, 2019
Our deepest sympathy to all of Mark's family. We worked with Mark for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at the Shooting Star Casino...what a great guy. He had such a winning personality. He spoke often of Holly and their children and how much they loved living in the country and raising chickens! He was the type of person you enjoyed being around. May your happiest memories be with you. Our prayers will be with you. God Bless.
Laura & Norm Towe
September 2, 2019
Our hearts are heavy for the loss of your beloved one,another beautiful shooting star has joined those in heaven. Love
Diane & Peter Andersen
August 30, 2019
Dear Sandy & Tom: Our heartfelt sympathies on the passing of your son, Mark. Loosing a child is not the natural order of things & there are no words to express how sad we are for your devastating loss. May your memories eventually give you peace & comfort. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family at this difficult time. God Bless,
Bill Agrios
August 30, 2019
To the Cowgill Family...we're so sorry to hear of Marks passing...Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bill and Sandi Agrios
Marcia Obman Gray
August 26, 2019
To the Cowgills and Brooks, My sincere condolences. Mark was a great kid growing up and I'm sure a spectacular adult who will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. We are currently out of the country and will be unable to attend services, but will be there in spirit. God Bless you all, Marcia Obman Gray & Clif Gray
Michelle Glenn
August 25, 2019
Holly my condolences goes out to you and your family. I am thinking of you and praying for you and the kids to get through this the best you can.
Glenn and Judy Steed
August 25, 2019
Tom and Sandy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you bid a blessed farewell to your beloved son Mark upon his sudden and untimely death. Having somehow endured the death of our son Glenn over ten years ago, we can at least partially identify with your unspeakable heartache and anguish. May pleasant memories of his brief life eventually - eventually - give you comfort, and may his ardent spirit grant you solace - and give you lasting peace - as you make the painful adjustment to his absence in your lives.
Sincerely, Glenn and Judy Steed
Amanda Duchek
August 25, 2019
Holly and Family, my Mom called me today as she saw this obituary in the newspaper. I am so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine. Mark was a great person, and I cherish my memories of school, band, and even house painting that he and Holly are a part of. I am sure you feel great grief now, but sometime in the future it will begin to get better. - Amanda Duchek
Ben Rimmele
August 25, 2019
I wish my family and I could be there. Mark was always a source of inspiration in high school. It was nice having an older cousin in school to help me through some rough times. The world is not as bright with his light no longer burning. He will be truly missed by many.
Dianne & Ray Kinnary
August 24, 2019
Holly, Sandy, Tom an rest of the family, Ray an I are so sorry for your loss of Mark, We know he will be missed, that had to be one big shock having that heart attack. We often talk about when you guys lived next to us an often wish you were still there. Hugs to all, sending lots of prayers to all of you. Dianne & Ray Kinnary
August 24, 2019
Tom and Sandy, Words cannot express our deepest sympathies on the passing of Mark. May you find peace and comfort during this difficult time. Frank and Jan Chandler
August 24, 2019
Sandy and Tom, we are so sorry to hear about Marks passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy . Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Karen and Tom Simon
August 23, 2019
To the Cowgill and Brooks family, words are never enough.
So sorry for your heartbreaking lose.
Mike and Dodie Regis
Pam Heavens
August 23, 2019
Sandy and Tom,
I have no words that can remove your pain. My hope is that the wonderful memories that you cherish will give you strength.
Debbie Bestow
August 23, 2019
I am so very shocked and saddened to hear of Marks passing. I, like many others, was lucky to have worked with him at Hollywood in Joliet. He was delightful and brightened many days and could lighten any tense mood in the kitchen with his smile and a kind word. He was just a great guy and a great loss. So sorry.
Dianne Caples
August 22, 2019
I am truly sorry for your loss. I pray for comfort and Peace for your family.
August 22, 2019
Dear Tom and Sandy,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Kelly A. Rose, Wilmington, Il
Bruce & Elaine Falk
August 22, 2019
Tom, Sandy and Family:
Our deepest condolences on your so untimely loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Bruce & Elaine Falk
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