Mark Christopher Ard, age 39, of Iola, Kansas passed away July 16, 2012 at the Ard family farm, rural Elsmore, Kansas. He was born March 17, 1973 at Iola, Kansas, the son of Robert Dean Ard and Deborah Ruth (Smith) Ard. Mark attended school in Moran and graduated from Marmaton Valley high School in 1993. He grew up working on his grandparents' farm, a place he dearly loved. He later worked with his dad and then for Paul Dean Weston Construction. In 2000 Mark began working at Russell Stover Candies in Iola; he was currently working in the maintenance department.

Mark loved the outdoors and he especially enjoyed sharing that love with his children. They would spend time on his grandparents' farm where they would hunt, fish, and ride four wheelers.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Mervin and Berverley Ard; maternal grandparents, Robert and Maxine Smith; uncle, Larry Ard; and cousin, Lisa Ard.

Mark is survived by his beloved children, Aubrey, Wyatt and Kailyn; father, Robert Ard of Richards, Missouri; mother, Deborah Smith of Ottawa, Kansas; brother, Norman Dix of Ottawa, Kansas; two sisters, Roberta Ard of Nevada, Missouri and Emily Ard of Westminster, Colorado; nieces and nephews, Derek and Megan Dix, Austin and Sierra Deer, Brittany, Garrett and Kadie Vickers; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, July 19, 2012 at the Elsmore United Methodist Church, Elsmore, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Elsmore Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Moran. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mark Ard memorial fund and sent in care of the funeral home, 344 N. Cedar, Moran, KS 66755.