Mark Rand Wishard, 60, of Prairie City, died June 26, 2009, at his home after a valiant fight against cancer.
At Mark’s request, there will be no memorial service.
He was born on April 7, 1949, at Prairie City. He attended all his elementary and high school years in Prairie City schools and graduated in 1967. Mark also attended Treasure Valley College at Ontario.
His main love and goal in life was always to be a truck driver, family members said. He also loved his children and fishing, boating and camping in the forests of Eastern Oregon and Idaho.
The family firmly believes that he is now driving that big rig in heaven on those streets of gold with his beloved cat, Kitty at his side.
“Mark is in a better place now,” family members said.
They expressed appreciation for the calls, visits, cards and e-mails of support and concern about Mark’s progress in his cancer battle. He touched the hearts of innumerable people.
“Thank you all for the compliments, care and support for Mark in the battle of his life,” they said.
Mark drove for May Trucking, United Hauling Service, and then returned home to run Wish Poultry and start his own hauling service.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles; his mother, Clarabelle; and his first wife, Linda.
Survivors include his special friend and confidante, Ann Wood of Prairie City; daughters Darcy Howard (Mathew) of Alexandria, Va., Jennifer Dolton (Todd) of Portland, Tracy Cline (Dan) of Sand Hollow, Idaho, and Leah Fleharty (David) of Ontario; former wife, Marlene Wishard of Ontario; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a brother, Kreg Wishard (Sharon) of Kennewick, Wash.; a sister, Nancy Riggs (Ron) of Sun City West, Ariz.; brother Bard Wishard (Sheryl) of Prairie City; and a special cousin, Roxie Lissman (Hank) of John Day.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute at Fruitland, Idaho, through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. The people at MSTI were very special to Mark because of all the care and support he received from them, his family said.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 01, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor