Mark was born and raised in Galesburg, the son of Gary and Karen. He is the third generation of his family to live in Galesburg. After graduating from Galesburg High School, he attended Carl Sandburg College and graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Mortuary Science and Funeral Service in 1994. Mark received his BA from Western Illinois University in 2007. He worked at Beck Memorial Home in Bloomington for 3 ½ years prior to moving back to Galesburg in 1998 when he started working at Watson Funeral Home. He was elected Knox County Coroner in 2004, a position he still holds. In late 2009 he and his wife Tricia purchased Watson Funeral Home from John and Peg.

Mark and his wife Tricia have two sons Andrew and Luke.

He is active in many community service organizations, currently serving on the Galesburg Hospitals Ambulance Service Board of Directors, is a past president of the Galesburg Area Crimestoppers, serves on the Parish Council at Corpus Christi Church, and is on the St. Joseph’s Cemetery Association Board. He also serves on the Galesburg Youth Baseball League board, and the Discovery Depot Board of Directors. He graduated from Leadership Greater Galesburg in 2005.  Mark has been active in helping coach his sons baseball, football, and basketball teams.  He and his wife are very active at Costa Catholic Academy.