SCHELLER – Mark Arlin Eubanks, beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, passed away at age 57 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL, on April 26, 2024, with his family by his side. He was born on December 12, 1966, in Benton, IL, to Garry and Barbara (Mendenall) Eubanks and lived almost the entirety of his life in the home he loved in rural Scheller.
Mark’s last three months were spent at StoneBridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Benton, IL, where he received the most amazing amount of love and care.
Mark’s early educational years were spent at Denning Elementary in West Frankfort after which he attended and graduated from both Sesser-Valier Community School and Christopher High School. Mark’s life was influenced greatly by those he encountered during his school years and some of his fondest memories were those created with his teachers, bus drivers and classmates.
Throughout Mark’s life, he enjoyed music, family history, cook books, coloring books, animated stuffed animals, traveling and watching his many “shows” with a particular love for The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie. His love for music was evident at an early age, singing, strumming a guitar and listening to his favorite albums for hours at a time. The sounds of John Denver, Grand Ole Opry stars and gospel hymns reverberated in his home and heart his entire life. A testament to his love of music and television, Mark had accumulated over the years an impressive collection of VHS, DVD, CD and vinyl albums, which brought him immeasurable entertainment and happiness. He was incredibly witty and had an amazing mind, able to capture and retain even the smallest of details about the things that interested him most. His greatest love, however, was that of family. Mark was happiest surrounded by family, celebrating each other, always with large amounts of food and fun. His closest loved ones could count on an early morning call on their birthday every year with him singing the happy birthday song loud and clear. And recognizing the gift God gave us in Mark, we never missed an opportunity to celebrate him. Mark had the most remarkable ability to not just find joy in life but to create joy in the life of every person he met. He never met a stranger who didn’t become a friend and he hugged and loved big. Simply but profoundly, to know Mark was to love Mark.
He is survived by his father Garry Eubanks of Scheller, and four siblings Lesley Shovan of Christopher, Kelly Eubanks of Waltonville, Lori (Mark) Laur of Scheller, and Julie (Jim) Boles of Sesser. He especially adored children and Mark’s role of uncle was one of his greatest joys.
Mark leaves behind nieces and nephews Kendra (Chad) Woodland, Tony (Danea) Shovan, Jared (Erin) Laur, Bethany Laur, Alyssa (Jordan) Laur, Bryan (Amber) Eubanks, Jenna (Brock) Harris, Savannah Boles, and Seth Boles. Mark also had 14 great nieces and nephews Clayton and Gavin Woodland, Logan and Laurelai Shovan, Cooper and Julia Laur, Lucas Laramore, Greyson and Paisley Edwards, Addie, Allie and Zachary Eubanks, and Grayson and Emmy Hopkins.
Mark was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Johnny Shovan, and his devoted mother Barbara Eubanks. The reunion in heaven between mother and son was long anticipated by Mark and the certainty of that reunion is an immense comfort for those of us still here on earth.
Leaving behind a legacy of pure love, he was such a bright light in this world and we will forever treasure his memory the rest of our days. Services to honor Mark’s life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Sesser. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 12 p.m. with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you please consider a donation to Special Olympics Illinois.
The Brayfield Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.
