Obituary of Mark S. Whitler

Mark S. Whitler, 68, of Carlinville, passed away Tuesday afternoon, February 4, 2020 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. Mark was born on February 21, 1951 to Ralph and Vera (Stanton) Whitler in Alton, IL. He graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1970. On December 31, 2007 he married Cathy Guthrie in Carlinville and they recently celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary. Mark started working at the age of 15, and was an exceptionally talented auto body repairman. He retired in 2002 from Illinois Department of Corrections, working in Jacksonville and Taylorville, IL. Mark was know as "Big Daddy" and was well respected by the staff and inmates. He also worked as a truck driver for Curry's and was known as "Snake" on the radio. He could fix anything, enjoyed music, woodworking, playing cards, fishing, and coached girls softball. Among other things in life, Mark loved riding on his blue tractor, being sure that the lines in his yard were always perfect. He was a great story teller, loved joking around with family and friends and spending time riding his motorcycle with their good friends Ray and Kay Knight. Mark is survived by his wife, Cathy Whitler of Carlinville; daughter, Michelle (Jeff) Walter of Carlinville; step son, Ryan (Desiree) Homer of Carlinville; son, Greg (Danlee) Whitler of Carlinville; step daughter, Kimberly (Matt) Allen of Carlinville; five granddaughters, better known to him as his "Beautiful Girls", Lindsay (Jered) Boehm, Brianna (Norman) Deck, Marlee Whitler, Evee Whitler, and Rori Allen; two grandsons, Pierce Allen and Austin Homer; three great grandchildren, Nash Boehm, Cora Boehm, and Wyatt Rose Deck; sister, Jane (Tom) Primrose of Virden, IL, as well as his Black Lab, Sophie. Mark was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ralph "Bub" Whitler. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Carlinville United Methodist Church, Carlinville, IL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at 10:00 am at the church. Burial will take place in the Gilead Cemetery, Hettick, IL. Memorials are suggested to Macoupin County Animal Shelter.