Sig Ep Brothers, It is with sad feelings that I write to inform you that Mark Zook, Illinois Zeta Spring ‘89 Pledge Class, has recently suffered a stroke and terrible fall that left him in a hospital bed for 21 days until his passing on Saturday, July 29th, 2024 in his sleep. Mark was facing a lifetime of 24/7 nursing care with a feeding tube for the rest of his life with no chance of recovery. Mark resigned early in his career to care for his mother, Alice Hesseltine, who, due to her health issues, had special needs for the last 20 years of her life. He did this labor of love full-time, every day until she passed away almost 4 years ago. He spent several years with her daily at the Breakers at Edgewater Beach retirement home, where Mark quickly made a name for himself amongst all the Breakers residents and was a very popular guy and close friend to many of the retirees, when they didn't have much family around, Mark was there to help out and sometimes just talk with the residents. During this time Mark was able to almost pay off a 3-bedroom house and SUV car, and he even bought a Can-Am Spyder cycle to ride in his free time as his brief but relaxing time to himself. He eventually moved his Mom into the house in Peoria, Illinois during the last years of her life, but when she passed away, he seemed to have lost his original purpose in life and felt that at 49 years old, he wouldn’t be able to find a solid job like before the loss of his mother, Alice. Ageism and the Pandemic left him feeling very alone for a couple of years. He was very prideful and didn't ask for help until, perhaps, it was too late. His younger brother, Byron, Illinois Zeta Fall ‘91 Pledge Class, discovered that Mark had fallen behind financially and believed he was too ashamed to ask for help. He can only speculate that it was Mark’s pride that prevented him from asking for help, as he had many friends that he could have utilized as resources. It’s sad because Mark was always doing things for others and brought many people together as friends and associates that otherwise wouldn't have come into contact with each other. Byron believes that it was Mark’s lifelong habit of self-sacrifice that served as a template that helped fuel and form him into the person he is today, and this example allowed him to work and grow in his career. Mark supported his brother, Byron, both financially and emotionally on this journey. Byron will miss this selfless guy in so many ways: as a caring brother; as a stern father when needed; as a best friend when things were going well; as a business partner; as a steady mentor; and, of course, as a drinking buddy before, during, and after their life as members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity while at Illinois State from which they both graduated. He was a storyteller who liked to share his recollections and insights from his daily life and from the days and nights spent in Chicago, Normal, and in Peoria, Illinois. Mark had a unique perspective and liked to make colorful observations on life. These insights were often cynical, funny views on how to look at things through one’s unique lens and to remember that it was ok to feel and see things differently than most. I will also miss my friend, Mark, for all of these reasons. However, I will miss him most for his unique sense of humor, level-headedness, respect for others, and all of the good times we shared as pledge brothers “back in the day,” and as roommates in Lincoln Park when the street festivals were loud and fresh—kind of like my fraternity brother “Zook” after a few cold ones in the sun! Any support and contributions would greatly be appreciated by his devoted brother Byron and their family. Link to Go Fund Me site here.
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