Mark Badasch

Mark Edward Badasch, 70, of Collinsville, IL., passed away peacefully at 10:52 a.m. on April 29, 2018 at home surrounded by family.Born on November 3, 1947 at Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, Mark was the only child of Fay R. (Jaffee) Badasch and the late Gerhard M. “Jerry” Badasch. As a child Mark’s family moved west to Southern California where he graduated from Westchester High School in 1965.  In high school, Mark was an avid musician and worked at Compari’s pizza parlor where he learned to hand toss pizza dough. He also worked at the Culver City Ice Rink and was the early morning Zamboni driver for Olympic skater Peggy Fleming.  After graduation Mark joined the United States Navy Reserves and attended submarine school.In 1968, Mark drove his Prairie Tan Ford Mustang cross country to attend George Williams College in Downers Grove, IL., with a major in Group Work and Recreation. By September 20, 1969 he married the love of his life, Ann Shawler.  Mark graduated from Indiana State University in 1973 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and began his career as the Assistant Superintendent of Recreation for the Pekin Park District.  He was also the Youth Program Director/Camp Manager for Neighborhood House in Peoria. Mark was hired as the Executive Director of the first county park district in the state of Illinois, Clark County in 1977.  He was instrumental in the development of Mill Creek Park.  In 1979 Mark accepted the position of Director of Parks and Recreation in Roxana; he served there for 15 years, as well serving as a Roxana volunteer firefighter and the Roxana School Board. In 1994 Mark was named Executive Director for the Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD).  He was instrumental in the development of SplashCity, Willoughby Heritage Farm, and Arlington Heights Golf Course. He retired in 2011.Mark had many passions throughout his life including singing in a barbershop quartet, antiquing with Ann, collecting sulfide marbles, and admiring antique cars.  He dedicated time to building relationships and improving the community through membership in the Wood River Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Southern Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (SIPRA), Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA President, 1998-1999), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD). In retirement Mark and Ann took countless trips, relished being called ‘Pee Paw’ by his youngest grandson, and enjoyed overseas trips to visit his daughter in Jerusalem and to study genealogy in Berlin, Germany and Poland. In retirement Mark became an avid volunteer and Director at Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum in Cahokia and was on the board for the Cahokia Mounds Society.Preceding him in death was his father in 1997 and father-in-law Lyman K. Shawler. Mark is survived by his wife Ann, a son Michael (Rose) of Rosewood Heights, a son Joshuah (Sarah) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a daughter Megan Badasch of Washington D.C. Two grandsons, Jerry and Greyson, his mother Fay Badasch of St Louis, three step grandsons, David Mundy of Roxana, Christian Mundy of Rosewood Heights, and Zachary Mundy of Roxana, and one step great grandson Levi Mundy, his mother-in-law Doris E. Shawler of West Union, IL., his step mother Shirley Head of Newport Beach, CA and step siblings, Tim, Kevin, Shaun, Erin Gallagher and Kellie Gallagher-White all of California, many step nieces, nephews and extended family.Visitation will be Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 1:00 pm until the time of service at 3:00 pm at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf in Upper Alton.  The Rabbi Lane Stenger will officiate. Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalschaaf.com