Edward Mark Hammond, 76, passed away peacefully in the presence of loving family members on February 1, 2024, after a lengthy illness.

Mark, as he was known to family and friends, was the first-born child of the late Edward "Duke" and Jane (Sowar) Hammond on April 1, 1947 in White Plains, N.Y. The family moved to Coldwater, Ohio, in 1949.

As Mark was growing up in Coldwater, his life revolved around sports. He excelled in track and field, basketball, and baseball. Learning came easily to him and achieving straight A's seemed effortless but that did not deter him from always being an eager participant (and in some cases, the instigator) of any mischief conjured up with his friends; he just couldn't resist. The more outlandish the prank, the better! He acquired a special affinity for hunting and fishing also during his teenage years and much to his parents' chagrin, he would sometimes steal the car at night so he and his friends could go frog-gigging at the lake.

Mark graduated from Coldwater High School as co-valedictorian in 1965. He went on to achieve a bachelor's degree at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, followed by a master's degree at the George Washington University in Washington D.C., in the field of finance. He then enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves.

Mark worked in the Chicago area throughout his life starting with International Harvester, Kidder Peabody and subsequently UBS where he retired in 2014 as senior vice president.

He kept his great love for nature and the outdoors into adulthood and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He went from hunting the farm fields in Mercer County and fishing in Grand Lake St. Marys, to fly fishing and hunting in the clear mountain springs and beautiful country in the Great Northwest and all parts of the world. Mark was most comfortable and found great joy when in nature while relishing the camaraderie of his good friends. Oh, the stories he could tell!

On the homefront, his love of nature and animals was evidenced by a constant stream of adored dogs and multiple bird and animal feeders always overflowing. He welcomed all birds, rabbits, squirrels, geese, ducks, and an occasional crane or two into his backyard with sheer delight.

In addition to his parents, Mark was predeceased by his youngest sibling Jean Gruenhagen.

He is survived by his sisters, Trish (Dick) Wuebker of Centerville, Ohio, and Marcia (Jay) Koepfle of Maineville, Ohio; as well as a brother, Joe (Colleen) Hammond, of Mason, Ohio. In addition, he had ten nieces and nephews. Mark will always be remembered as a very kind and generous brother, uncle, and friend.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 19, 2024, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 135 S. Buesching Rd., Lake Zurich, IL, 60047. Visitation will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30.

The family would like to thank employees of Suncrest Hospice and Henray Timbe for caring for Mark during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) or Suncrest Hospice (5 Revere Dr. Suite 130, Northbrook, IL 60062) would be welcome.