Mark P. Koehler

Mark Philip Koehler, age 72, of Stuart, VA went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 29th at Fair Funeral Home beginning at 2:00pm. Visitation is one hour prior to the service.

A memorial service will be held by his family in the Chicago area at a later date.

Mark was born December 15,1953 to the late Vincent Wenceslaus Koehler and Mary Elizabeth “Bette” Jaeger Koehler in Geneva, IL.

Mark grew up in St. Charles. He received his sacraments at St. Patrick’s Church in St. Charles, IL. And went to grade school there. He graduated from Marmion Military Academy, in Aurora, IL and attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA. As a child, he was a caddy at St. Charles Country Club and was an avid golfer. He often would golf seven days a week while also working a fulltime job. As a child, he and his family spent many happy moments in Door County, WI.

Mark was a hard worker all of his life. He was an experienced meat cutter working at Dubuque Packing in Dubuque, IA and at New City Pack in Aurora, IL. In 2001, he moved to Eden, NC. He transferred with the company Loparex, where he retired with thirty years of service. Along with loving the game of golf, he loved fishing, especially in the FL Keys with his best friend of forty years, Captain Steve Murray. Steve would come to NC and he and Mark would enjoy the days of golf just having lots of laughs and good times. Mark was an excellent cook, master gardener, wonderful dancer, captivating story teller and loved telling jokes. He was a huge fan of the Chicago Bears, and also loved traveling with his significate other, Esther. Mark was very intelligent with knowing all about history, the weather, science and just life. He had a good heart with helping anyone in any way he could. Mark cared immensely for his family and friends and loved spending time with them. He also had several animals over the years that he cared for deeply.

Mark is survived by his three sons, Adam Koehler of Yorkville, IL, Benjamin Koehler of Aurora, IL and Nick Koehler (May) of Palm Harbor, FL. He is survived by his significant other Esther Hedgepeth of the home. His stepsons Joshua Ziglar and Daniel Hedgepeth of Stuart, VA, David Hedgepeth (Dawn) of Eden, NC and Gabriel Hedgepeth (Asenath) of Ruffin, NC. Mary Boczko of Aurora, IL (mother of his sons.) Grandchildren, Jak Koehler of Palm Harbor, FL, Sebastian Koehler of Yorkville, IL, Kyra Artis of Salem, VA, Jade, Hope and Faith Hedgepeth of Stuart, VA, Karter Hedgepeth of Ruffin, NC and Karter’s baby brother Kolten Hedgepeth (arriving in November), Blake Howell of FL, sister’s, Maggie Soliz (Dan) of Batavia, IL, Kate McCarty (David) of Elmhurst, IL, Jane Speranzini (Henry) Duxbury, MA, Sarah Koehler of Denver, CO, brother’s, Marty Koehler (Laurie) Wheaton, IL, Chanthaboune Traymany (Nongrak) of Elgin, IL, sister in law, Lois Horsley of Eden, NC and Debbie Barker of High Point, NC.

He is also survived by four uncles, seven aunts, twenty-seven cousins, numerous nieces and nephews and many great friends.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother’s, Peter and Andrew Koehler, sister’s in -law, Jean Koehler and Grace Koehler, brother -in- law James Horsley.

In lieu of flowers the famly requests that donations be made to any of the following links:

• bonfire.com/ollies-cancer-fight/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=campaign_page&utm_campaign=ollies-cancer-fight&utm_content=defaultbonfire.com/ollies-cancer-fight/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=campaign_page&utm_campaign=ollies-cancer-fight&utm_content=default

• venmo.com/u/britsupervenmo.com/u/britsuper

• cash.app/$britanysupercash.app/$britanysuper

Online condolences may be offered to the family to www.fairfuneralhome.com