Mellinger, Mark C. - d. 2009

MELLINGER, VACCARO

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 12/26/2009 at 15:46:19

Mark C. Mellinger, 53, of Flower Mound, Texas, beloved partner, son, father, brother, friend, coach, engineer, manager and mentor, died peacefully on Dec. 13, 2009, surrounded by friends and family in his home, after fighting cancer with their help for nearly two years.
Mark is survived by his children, daughter Melanie, and son Kyle, of Flower Mound, parents John and Mary Ellan Mellinger of Newton, Iowa; fiancée Dawn Vaccaro; brother David (Kim) of Johnston, Iowa; and sister Marta (David) of Portland, Oregon, and four nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. Mark was preceded in death by an elder brother Todd, who died in infancy.
Mark grew up and graduated from high school in Newton.
Mark held an undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and earned his MS in mechanical engineering from University of Texas/Arlington. He worked as an engineer in the Dallas area for 25 years before becoming a realtor for Keller Williams.
Mark loved and was beloved by an ever-enlarging family of friends. He was well-known in his community as a neighborhood leader. Passionate since childhood about sports, Mark served as a youth soccer, baseball and basketball coach, touching the lives of hundreds of children and their families. Many of Mark’s happiest hours were spent at his “closest place to heaven on earth” the Des Moines YMCA Family Camp in Boone.
His family gathered with friends to celebrate Mark’s life on Thursday in Flower Mound. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Des Moines YMCA Camp or your favorite charity.
Source: Newton Daily News; Friday, December 18, 2009