Mark A. Schory, 70, of Columbia City, died peacefully at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, August 8, 2021, at his home.

He was born December 20, 1950, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a son of Roland E. and Mary Ann (McMeekin) Schory. Growing up in Fort Wayne, he graduated from Bishop Dwenger High School in 1969.

Entering the U.S. Marine Corp., he served at Camp Pendleton, CA before entering the reserves.  He was honorably discharged in January 1976.

On March 5, 1993, he married Christina L. Ducey Pearson.  They made their home in Columbia City.

Mark was the owner/operator of Jani Corporation then becoming Night Owl Cleaning, a commercial cleaning service.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 98, Columbia City, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #1417, Columbia City.

An avid golfer, he belonged to the Crooked Lake Golf leagues.  A Chicago sports fan he followed White Sox baseball and Chicago Bears football.  With a keen sense of humor and whit, he is remembered for his intelligence and was a fountain of trivia.  He also enjoyed birdwatching with multiple feeders around his property.

Surviving are his wife, Christina; mother Mary Ann Schory of Fort Wayne; daughters, Kimberly (David) Early of Harker Heights, TX and Erica (Chad) Miller of Columbia City; step-children, Cari Arthur of Columbia City, Brad (Kim) Pearson of Warsaw and Alex (Yveth) Pearson of Vail, CO; 20 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard (Kay) Schory and David Schory both of Fort Wayne and sisters, Sandra (John) Gaier of Kendallville and Susan (John) Weglian of Toledo, OH.

He was preceded in death by his father Roland.

A gathering of family and friends is 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. An Elks service will follow at 8 p.m. and closing with military honors presented by the Whitley County Korean War Honor Guard.

Preferred memorials are to American Legion Post 98, Columbia City.