John R. Mark Sr., 72

MILFORD - John R. Mark Sr., died Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, in Milford Hospice Center. He was 72. Born in Jersey City, N.J., to Herbert and Edna (Crutchley) Mark. Chief Mark, a Korean and Vietnam War veteran, retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1976 at Dover Air Force Base, where he had served as the Command Chief Master Sgt. of the 436th Military Air Lift Wing from 1974 to 1976. During the Vietnam War he served as 1st Sgt. of the 553rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 20th Special Operations Group Korat Thailand and had served as Team Chief for POW extraction teams. He additionally served as the 1st Sgt. for the 57th Fighter Wing, Ellis Air Forse Base. His decorations include a Bronze Star, Air Medal along with a Purple Heart. A dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was especially fond of the time spent with his family. He also enjoyed time spent hunting, fishing and was an avid photographer. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Herbert I. Mark Jr. He is survived by his wife or 54 years, Anna May Mark of Milford; four children and their spouses, Sharon L. and Craig English of Smyrna, John R. Jr. and Joyce Mark of Camden, Laura M. and Ronnie Hettinger of Dover and Lt. Col. James and Sheri Mark of Dover; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Funeral Home of Michael J. Ambruso, 1174 S. State St., Dover, where friend may call starting at 1:30 p.m. Military Honors and burial will be in Barratts Chapel Cemetery, Frederica. Family suggests donations in his memory to Delaware Hospice Milford Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.