Mark D. Finley

Mark Dennis Finley, 68, died at his home in New Bern on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, with family by his side.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan (née Schimpf); four daughters: Jennifer Russell (Allan) of Savannah, Georgia; Betsy Finley (Daniel) of Ashburn, Virginia; Kate Finley of New York, New York; and Erin Nestor (James) of North Pole, Alaska; six grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Finley (Harry) of Carbondale, Illinois. He was preceded in death by two infant sisters and his parents, Flora (née Crossman) and Melvin Finley.

Mark was born in Peoria, Illinois on August 27, 1949 and spent his childhood in Cazenovia and Washington, Illinois. He was a 1967 graduate of Washington Community High School and earned an associate's degree in Engine Power Technology from Illinois Central College in 1969. He met Susan "Sue" in 1971, and they married on February 16, 1974 in Washington, Illinois.

He began his career as a welder and subsequently worked as a long-haul truck driver, small business owner, and dragline operator. An entrepreneur at heart, he and Sue moved their young family to rural Western New York state in 1986, and then to coastal North Carolina in 1998. His adventurous spirit and strong faith allowed him to embrace and live each day to the fullest. Mark had a brilliant mind, a great sense of humor, and an infectious laugh.

He was an avid reader and had many hobbies, including photography, cutting and splitting firewood, tinkering in the garage, four-wheeling, cowboy action shooting, storytelling, ham radio, making homemade ice cream, and being outdoors. He had an uncanny ability to disassemble and put back together anything he was handed and was a whiz with gadgets and tools.

Mark had an excellent ear for music, and his booming bass voice lent itself well to being a member of the church choir and a gospel quartet. A true people person and devoted family member and friend, Mark sincerely enjoyed spending time with others and lending a helping hand when and wherever needed, and was a dedicated member of his church, community, and breakfast groups. Many would say that Mark was the hardest worker they ever knew.

He was a proud and loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, and encouraged his daughters to work hard, strive to do what they enjoy, and find their purpose in life. He touched countless lives and is loved and will be missed by many.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Brice's Creek Bible Church in New Bern at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2017. He will be buried on a later date at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Morton, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation.