Mark Still, 72, of Santa Maria passed away on Monday, March 9, 2020. Mark was born March 5, 1948 in San Gabriel, California. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Peggy Still of Santa Maria, CA; Daughter Christie Still of Alta Loma, CA.
Mark was raised in Monrovia, California where he grew up with his closest friends and sisters Karen Still, Kelsie Still Lloyd, and Nancy Still Gibson. During his younger years he spent much of his time waiting for the train to come and go on the tracks behind the family home. Mark had fond memories of placing pennies on the track for the train to flatten them, or piling pieces of wood on the track, knowing that the conductor would stop the train to push them away, giving Mark a chance to talk with him.
In the mid-1960’s Mark’s older sister, Karen, discovered Gospel Quartet Music and began taking her siblings to gospel sings at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. This turned Mark into a life-long fan of gospel music. Little did he know that 2 rows away sat his future wife. That future wife’s uncle, Virgil Turman, later taught voice and piano for the Stamps-Baxter School of Music, which Mark enrolled in his early twenties. Several years later Virgil asked Mark to join the family quartet where he met his wife Peggy. During this time Mark wrote and published two gospel songs.
As a teenager in high school, Mark was at the lowest time of his life. His father had passed when he was just 11 years old, his older sisters had moved out of the house, and an abusive step-father had moved in. One night when he had had quite enough, Mark took his younger sister Nancy and walked across town to his sisters’ apartment, never to return home again.
But God knew that Mark needed a mentor and sent David Ireland, a school counselor, to help. Mark saw in David a strength that he had not seen before. David was a paraplegic stricken with a neurological disorder in his early thirties, yet still managed to get himself to school each day to counsel kids. Mark asked David where he found the strength to keep going in the midst of his suffering and that opened the door for David to witness to him that there is joy in the midst of suffering when you know the living Christ. As he led Mark to receive the Lord in that high school counseling office, David gave Mark a scripture to memorize. Mark carried that scripture in his wallet for many years. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13 Another important lesson learned from David was to invest in young people. Mark honored that by becoming a great dad, godfather, uncle, mentor, teacher, and friend. Mark and Peggy opened their home to college and Seminary students, church youth groups, visiting pastors, gospel singers, and missionaries on furlough - anytime someone needed a place to rest whether it be a short or long.
Mark was a master carpenter, building furniture and custom cabinetry for high-end homes in the San Gabriel Valley. Tiring of the physical work and looking to fulfill a higher purpose, he sold his company and returned to college in his early forties. Upon graduation he became a Professor of History at Chaffey College and authored two books. Along with his friend, Mario Ferrante, and wrote a screen play based on his book Eban Custison. His love for history was reflective in the massive collection of documents and artifacts (over 600 pieces) which he proudly displayed in a special room at his home. He taught an Honors Class each quarter, and one of his greatest joys was when students would come to his home for lunch and a tour of his personal “museum.” He continued teaching until retirement in 2009.
But Mark was not done yet! He found out that Monrovia had a museum and was in need of volunteer docents. Finding the Museum in a bit of disarray, he took an inventory of items in their possession, and began drawing exhibits in which to display many of the unique items to better tell the history of Monrovia. Mark met with the Board of the Museum and showed him his plan. They immediately accepted his proposal and handed over the keys! So, Mark and his best friend Mike Courtright began the work of building exhibits and preserving artifacts for the 8,000 square foot space. Mark discovered and made friends with the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians, Monrovia/Duarte Black Alumni Association, the Latino Heritage Association, The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, the Monrovia YMCA, Asian American Association of San Gabriel Valle the local Veterans, KGEM, The Arboretum, NAACP, He uncovered much about Monrovia’s history that had been forgotten. He held tours for the elementary schools, and held many events including hosting a Civil War Reenactment, the local Buffalo Soldiers, WWII Veterans, Black History Month Event which included honoring one of Monrovia’s own WWII Red Tail pilots, the local Chinese American Community, The Patriot Guard Riders, and so many more.
In his spare time, Mark along with his wife Peggy and daughter Christie, sang in the Church choir. He would take on the work of Usher, preparing Communion, do visitations, co-direct the Youth Choir with his wife Peggy, and anything else the church needed to be done. He believed in giving of his time and resources.
In his final days, racked with pain from the cancer in his bones, Mark never once complained. When asked if he was feeling alright, the answer was, “I’m good.” He accepted with grace the inevitable, encouraging his doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and spreading the Good News of the Gospel to anyone who would listen. Because he looked at his life as a whole picture and not only at the cancer, he could indeed sing the song so many heard him share, “It Is Well With My Soul.”
Internment will take place at 10:00 Wednesday, March 18 near his family at Live Oak Memorial Park 200 E. Duarte Road, Monrovia, CA 91016.
Mark was raised in Monrovia, California where he grew up with his closest friends and sisters Karen Still, Kelsie Still Lloyd, and Nancy Still Gibson. During his younger years he spent much of his time waiting for the train to come and go on the tracks behind the family home. Mark had fond memories of placing pennies on the track for the train to flatten them, or piling pieces of wood on the track, knowing that the conductor would stop the train to push them away, giving Mark a chance to talk with him.
In the mid-1960’s Mark’s older sister, Karen, discovered Gospel Quartet Music and began taking her siblings to gospel sings at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. This turned Mark into a life-long fan of gospel music. Little did he know that 2 rows away sat his future wife. That future wife’s uncle, Virgil Turman, later taught voice and piano for the Stamps-Baxter School of Music, which Mark enrolled in his early twenties. Several years later Virgil asked Mark to join the family quartet where he met his wife Peggy. During this time Mark wrote and published two gospel songs.
As a teenager in high school, Mark was at the lowest time of his life. His father had passed when he was just 11 years old, his older sisters had moved out of the house, and an abusive step-father had moved in. One night when he had had quite enough, Mark took his younger sister Nancy and walked across town to his sisters’ apartment, never to return home again.
But God knew that Mark needed a mentor and sent David Ireland, a school counselor, to help. Mark saw in David a strength that he had not seen before. David was a paraplegic stricken with a neurological disorder in his early thirties, yet still managed to get himself to school each day to counsel kids. Mark asked David where he found the strength to keep going in the midst of his suffering and that opened the door for David to witness to him that there is joy in the midst of suffering when you know the living Christ. As he led Mark to receive the Lord in that high school counseling office, David gave Mark a scripture to memorize. Mark carried that scripture in his wallet for many years. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13 Another important lesson learned from David was to invest in young people. Mark honored that by becoming a great dad, godfather, uncle, mentor, teacher, and friend. Mark and Peggy opened their home to college and Seminary students, church youth groups, visiting pastors, gospel singers, and missionaries on furlough - anytime someone needed a place to rest whether it be a short or long.
Mark was a master carpenter, building furniture and custom cabinetry for high-end homes in the San Gabriel Valley. Tiring of the physical work and looking to fulfill a higher purpose, he sold his company and returned to college in his early forties. Upon graduation he became a Professor of History at Chaffey College and authored two books. Along with his friend, Mario Ferrante, and wrote a screen play based on his book Eban Custison. His love for history was reflective in the massive collection of documents and artifacts (over 600 pieces) which he proudly displayed in a special room at his home. He taught an Honors Class each quarter, and one of his greatest joys was when students would come to his home for lunch and a tour of his personal “museum.” He continued teaching until retirement in 2009.
But Mark was not done yet! He found out that Monrovia had a museum and was in need of volunteer docents. Finding the Museum in a bit of disarray, he took an inventory of items in their possession, and began drawing exhibits in which to display many of the unique items to better tell the history of Monrovia. Mark met with the Board of the Museum and showed him his plan. They immediately accepted his proposal and handed over the keys! So, Mark and his best friend Mike Courtright began the work of building exhibits and preserving artifacts for the 8,000 square foot space. Mark discovered and made friends with the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians, Monrovia/Duarte Black Alumni Association, the Latino Heritage Association, The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, the Monrovia YMCA, Asian American Association of San Gabriel Valle the local Veterans, KGEM, The Arboretum, NAACP, He uncovered much about Monrovia’s history that had been forgotten. He held tours for the elementary schools, and held many events including hosting a Civil War Reenactment, the local Buffalo Soldiers, WWII Veterans, Black History Month Event which included honoring one of Monrovia’s own WWII Red Tail pilots, the local Chinese American Community, The Patriot Guard Riders, and so many more.
In his spare time, Mark along with his wife Peggy and daughter Christie, sang in the Church choir. He would take on the work of Usher, preparing Communion, do visitations, co-direct the Youth Choir with his wife Peggy, and anything else the church needed to be done. He believed in giving of his time and resources.
In his final days, racked with pain from the cancer in his bones, Mark never once complained. When asked if he was feeling alright, the answer was, “I’m good.” He accepted with grace the inevitable, encouraging his doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and spreading the Good News of the Gospel to anyone who would listen. Because he looked at his life as a whole picture and not only at the cancer, he could indeed sing the song so many heard him share, “It Is Well With My Soul.”
Internment will take place at 10:00 Wednesday, March 18 near his family at Live Oak Memorial Park 200 E. Duarte Road, Monrovia, CA 91016.
Mark Still, 72, of Santa Maria passed away on Monday, March 9, 2020. Mark was born March 5, 1948 in San Gabriel, California. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Peggy Still of Santa Maria, CA; Daughter Christie Still of Alta Loma, CA.
Mark was raised in Monrovia, California where he grew up with his closest friends and sisters Karen Still, Kelsie Still Lloyd, and Nancy Still Gibson. During his younger years he spent much of his time waiting for the train to come and go on the tracks behind the family home. Mark had fond memories of placing pennies on the track for the train to flatten them, or piling pieces of wood on the track, knowing that the conductor would stop the train to push them away, giving Mark a chance to talk with him.
In the mid-1960’s Mark’s older sister, Karen, discovered Gospel Quartet Music and began taking her siblings to gospel sings at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. This turned Mark into a life-long fan of gospel music. Little did he know that 2 rows away sat his future wife. That future wife’s uncle, Virgil Turman, later taught voice and piano for the Stamps-Baxter School of Music, which Mark enrolled in his early twenties. Several years later Virgil asked Mark to join the family quartet where he met his wife Peggy. During this time Mark wrote and published two gospel songs.
As a teenager in high school, Mark was at the lowest time of his life. His father had passed when he was just 11 years old, his older sisters had moved out of the house, and an abusive step-father had moved in. One night when he had had quite enough, Mark took his younger sister Nancy and walked across town to his sisters’ apartment, never to return home again.
But God knew that Mark needed a mentor and sent David Ireland, a school counselor, to help. Mark saw in David a strength that he had not seen before. David was a paraplegic stricken with a neurological disorder in his early thirties, yet still managed to get himself to school each day to counsel kids. Mark asked David where he found the strength to keep going in the midst of his suffering and that opened the door for David to witness to him that there is joy in the midst of suffering when you know the living Christ. As he led Mark to receive the Lord in that high school counseling office, David gave Mark a scripture to memorize. Mark carried that scripture in his wallet for many years. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13 Another important lesson learned from David was to invest in young people. Mark honored that by becoming a great dad, godfather, uncle, mentor, teacher, and friend. Mark and Peggy opened their home to college and Seminary students, church youth groups, visiting pastors, gospel singers, and missionaries on furlough - anytime someone needed a place to rest whether it be a short or long.
Mark was a master carpenter, building furniture and custom cabinetry for high-end homes in the San Gabriel Valley. Tiring of the physical work and looking to fulfill a higher purpose, he sold his company and returned to college in his early forties. Upon graduation he became a Professor of History at Chaffey College and authored two books. Along with his friend, Mario Ferrante, and wrote a screen play based on his book Eban Custison. His love for history was reflective in the massive collection of documents and artifacts (over 600 pieces) which he proudly displayed in a special room at his home. He taught an Honors Class each quarter, and one of his greatest joys was when students would come to his home for lunch and a tour of his personal “museum.” He continued teaching until retirement in 2009.
But Mark was not done yet! He found out that Monrovia had a museum and was in need of volunteer docents. Finding the Museum in a bit of disarray, he took an inventory of items in their possession, and began drawing exhibits in which to display many of the unique items to better tell the history of Monrovia. Mark met with the Board of the Museum and showed him his plan. They immediately accepted his proposal and handed over the keys! So, Mark and his best friend Mike Courtright began the work of building exhibits and preserving artifacts for the 8,000 square foot space. Mark discovered and made friends with the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians, Monrovia/Duarte Black Alumni Association, the Latino Heritage Association, The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, the Monrovia YMCA, Asian American Association of San Gabriel Valle the local Veterans, KGEM, The Arboretum, NAACP, He uncovered much about Monrovia’s history that had been forgotten. He held tours for the elementary schools, and held many events including hosting a Civil War Reenactment, the local Buffalo Soldiers, WWII Veterans, Black History Month Event which included honoring one of Monrovia’s own WWII Red Tail pilots, the local Chinese American Community, The Patriot Guard Riders, and so many more.
In his spare time, Mark along with his wife Peggy and daughter Christie, sang in the Church choir. He would take on the work of Usher, preparing Communion, do visitations, co-direct the Youth Choir with his wife Peggy, and anything else the church needed to be done. He believed in giving of his time and resources.
In his final days, racked with pain from the cancer in his bones, Mark never once complained. When asked if he was feeling alright, the answer was, “I’m good.” He accepted with grace the inevitable, encouraging his doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and spreading the Good News of the Gospel to anyone who would listen. Because he looked at his life as a whole picture and not only at the cancer, he could indeed sing the song so many heard him share, “It Is Well With My Soul.”
Internment will take place at 10:00 Wednesday, March 18 near his family at Live Oak Memorial Park 200 E. Duarte Road, Monrovia, CA 91016.
Mark was raised in Monrovia, California where he grew up with his closest friends and sisters Karen Still, Kelsie Still Lloyd, and Nancy Still Gibson. During his younger years he spent much of his time waiting for the train to come and go on the tracks behind the family home. Mark had fond memories of placing pennies on the track for the train to flatten them, or piling pieces of wood on the track, knowing that the conductor would stop the train to push them away, giving Mark a chance to talk with him.
In the mid-1960’s Mark’s older sister, Karen, discovered Gospel Quartet Music and began taking her siblings to gospel sings at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. This turned Mark into a life-long fan of gospel music. Little did he know that 2 rows away sat his future wife. That future wife’s uncle, Virgil Turman, later taught voice and piano for the Stamps-Baxter School of Music, which Mark enrolled in his early twenties. Several years later Virgil asked Mark to join the family quartet where he met his wife Peggy. During this time Mark wrote and published two gospel songs.
As a teenager in high school, Mark was at the lowest time of his life. His father had passed when he was just 11 years old, his older sisters had moved out of the house, and an abusive step-father had moved in. One night when he had had quite enough, Mark took his younger sister Nancy and walked across town to his sisters’ apartment, never to return home again.
But God knew that Mark needed a mentor and sent David Ireland, a school counselor, to help. Mark saw in David a strength that he had not seen before. David was a paraplegic stricken with a neurological disorder in his early thirties, yet still managed to get himself to school each day to counsel kids. Mark asked David where he found the strength to keep going in the midst of his suffering and that opened the door for David to witness to him that there is joy in the midst of suffering when you know the living Christ. As he led Mark to receive the Lord in that high school counseling office, David gave Mark a scripture to memorize. Mark carried that scripture in his wallet for many years. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13 Another important lesson learned from David was to invest in young people. Mark honored that by becoming a great dad, godfather, uncle, mentor, teacher, and friend. Mark and Peggy opened their home to college and Seminary students, church youth groups, visiting pastors, gospel singers, and missionaries on furlough - anytime someone needed a place to rest whether it be a short or long.
Mark was a master carpenter, building furniture and custom cabinetry for high-end homes in the San Gabriel Valley. Tiring of the physical work and looking to fulfill a higher purpose, he sold his company and returned to college in his early forties. Upon graduation he became a Professor of History at Chaffey College and authored two books. Along with his friend, Mario Ferrante, and wrote a screen play based on his book Eban Custison. His love for history was reflective in the massive collection of documents and artifacts (over 600 pieces) which he proudly displayed in a special room at his home. He taught an Honors Class each quarter, and one of his greatest joys was when students would come to his home for lunch and a tour of his personal “museum.” He continued teaching until retirement in 2009.
But Mark was not done yet! He found out that Monrovia had a museum and was in need of volunteer docents. Finding the Museum in a bit of disarray, he took an inventory of items in their possession, and began drawing exhibits in which to display many of the unique items to better tell the history of Monrovia. Mark met with the Board of the Museum and showed him his plan. They immediately accepted his proposal and handed over the keys! So, Mark and his best friend Mike Courtright began the work of building exhibits and preserving artifacts for the 8,000 square foot space. Mark discovered and made friends with the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians, Monrovia/Duarte Black Alumni Association, the Latino Heritage Association, The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, the Monrovia YMCA, Asian American Association of San Gabriel Valle the local Veterans, KGEM, The Arboretum, NAACP, He uncovered much about Monrovia’s history that had been forgotten. He held tours for the elementary schools, and held many events including hosting a Civil War Reenactment, the local Buffalo Soldiers, WWII Veterans, Black History Month Event which included honoring one of Monrovia’s own WWII Red Tail pilots, the local Chinese American Community, The Patriot Guard Riders, and so many more.
In his spare time, Mark along with his wife Peggy and daughter Christie, sang in the Church choir. He would take on the work of Usher, preparing Communion, do visitations, co-direct the Youth Choir with his wife Peggy, and anything else the church needed to be done. He believed in giving of his time and resources.
In his final days, racked with pain from the cancer in his bones, Mark never once complained. When asked if he was feeling alright, the answer was, “I’m good.” He accepted with grace the inevitable, encouraging his doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and spreading the Good News of the Gospel to anyone who would listen. Because he looked at his life as a whole picture and not only at the cancer, he could indeed sing the song so many heard him share, “It Is Well With My Soul.”
Internment will take place at 10:00 Wednesday, March 18 near his family at Live Oak Memorial Park 200 E. Duarte Road, Monrovia, CA 91016.
