Dr. Marc Levinson

COBDEN - Dr. Marc Levinson, 62, died March 18, 2013 in his home.

Marc was born Sept. 5, 1951, in Birmingham, Ala., the son of Herbert and Rosemary (McKiegan) Levinson. His mother survives as well as two sisters, Madi Levinson of Boise, Idaho, and Cori Levinson of Albuquerque, N.M.; one brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Amy of Musctaine, Iowa.

He moved with his family to Southern Illinois in 1965. He was in the last class to graduate from the University High School in Carbondale in 1968. Subsequently he earned a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. all from the Department of Psychology at SIU Carbondale. During this time he met and married Debra Walker from Murphysboro. With her he had two daughters, Emily Claire and Elizabeth Chris-tina.

Marc spent his professional life as a public servant in the field of psychology. As an assistant professor in the department of psychology at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, he taught both graduate and undergraduate students for three years. He returned to Central Louisiana State Hospital, where he had completed a pre-doctoral internship, to work as a clinical psychologist and administrator. In 1985 he returned to Southern Illinois where he worked as a clinical psychologist at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna for 14 years. In 1998 he started working for Illinois Department of Corrections Special Evaluation Unit traveling extensively throughout Illinois conducting mental health evaluations and providing court testimony. He returned to Choate in 2003 to serve in clinical and administrative roles. Marc was diagnosed with ALS in 2008 but continued working despite increasing disability until December 2009. He always felt that his co-workers were his work "family," with whom he enjoyed wonderful camaraderie. He also had great respect for their dedication, working with patients who had many needs and few resources.

In 1994 Marc and his current wife, Ruth Ann, were married. Since then, they lived in rural Union County. They raised Marc's two daughters, Emily Ferre and Elizabeth Levinson, and Ruth Ann's children Sarah and Jacob Wolfson. He became a grandfather in January with the birth of Sarah's son, Levin Blakley.

Marc enjoyed living on their farm where they raised and showed Arabian horses. He especially enjoyed working outside growing a large garden and tending to the yard and pastures, along with other farm chores.

Marc and Ruth Ann discovered Jamaica on their honeymoon trip there in 1994. They came to love the island with its wonderful people, food and music. They made many trips to Jamaica and had great adventures with the Jamaicans who became like family to them.

Marc would like to be remembered for his compassion for others and his sense of humor. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Cobden. Marc and his family have been very grateful for the assistance of Pastor Anette Westermark and the congregation of that church. They would like to thank their church family for their many donations of food and support over the last few years. "We deeply appreciate the support from the community and friends during our fundraisers and throughout this long illness. We have been blessed to have wonderful caregivers who have done so much to provide compassionate and skilled care for Marc."

Services will be Saturday, April 20, in First Presbyterian Church of Cobden, with the time to be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Cobden, ALS Association (alsa.org), and Hospice of Southern Illinois (hospice.org).

To view this obituary and leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden is in charge of arrangements.