Mark Francis Glubczynski

Heaven gained a bright star on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, when Mark F. Glubczynski made his final flight peacefully and as he'd always hoped. Lounging in his recliner with a sleeping puppy in his lap and his favorite TV show on. An incredible husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend to many. His beautiful life began at the U.S. Naval Base in Portsmouth, VA. on Aug. 27, 1953. Arriving a month early to his wonderful parents, Don and Florence Glubczynski. He couldn't wait to start seeing the world, which he did later in his military career.

He was a busy boy from the start, full of adventure with a love of life. Faithful in all things, and dependable to a fault. He served his church as a lector, altar server for many years at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Peru, Illinois (his childhood home) and later as an usher and Eucharistic minister at St. Catherine's of Siena. He was very active in all manner of athletics from baseball, football, to cricket and even rugby, much to the surprise of his bride, Deb. Mark attended St. Bede Academy, along with various stints of education as he pursued his career in the USAF.

He began his Air Force career in 1972. It was while Mark was stationed at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX in the summer of 1974, that he would meet the love of his life, Deb Johnson (and the feeling was mutual!). He toured Korat AFB Thailand (1974-1975) before their marriage. Mark and Deb enjoyed 41 years of adventure and love, while Uncle Sam sent them from base to base, starting together at Kincheloe AFB, MI. on to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, to RAF Alconbury England and finishing up at K.I.Sawyer AFB, Michigan. While in England, they completed their circle with the blessed arrival of their precious son, Aaron in 1982. No two people could be more alike than this father and son. Mark would soon add other hats to his closet as baseball coach and Cub Scout leader for Aaron, along with encouraging his son in all his pursuits. After 20 years working with the aircraft INS systems, Mark retired in June of 1992 with the rank of MSgt. returning his little family of 3 to Deb's childhood home of Austin, TX to begin his civilian career. He would later work for IBM, and in several security officer positions.

Mark enjoyed and treasured his friendships, new and old, loved a good cigar and a smooth scotch on occasion. His best times were spent on the back porch communing with nature along with his bride, where he would ponder the BIG questions of life. His intellect and humor had no boundaries. He had a quick wit that could catch you off guard as he was known to most as "The Quiet Man." His blue eyes would twinkle and you knew whatever he said, was going to be a good one!

Mark, Deb and Aaron, thank the team of EMT M32, ENG 301 and his doctors, Dr. Richard Tallman, Dr. Nimja Amjadi and Dr. Geoffrey Cox, as he lived with Multiple Sclerosis. And a special thanks to Eileen Deeter and her precious family for seeing us through a beautiful life together!

Left to miss this big Teddy Bear of a man, are his wife and son, Debbie and Aaron Glubczynski (soon to be daughter in law, Krista Rowe). His sweet brother, Kevin (Mary Kay) Glubczynski, and niece, Heather (Corey Sirtoff) Sirtoff-Glubczynski along with a host of family, dear friends (too many to mention), and his sweet fur babies.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with a Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 P.M., in the Chapel. A Mass of Celebration will be at 10:00 A.M., Friday, November 24, 2017, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Road, with Father Pat Coakley, Celebrant. Inurnment will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, December 15, 2017 with Full Military Honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Honoring Mark as pallbearers will be Aaron Glubczynski, Kirk Gummelt, Kelly Gummelt, Chris Mayer, Dee Crouse, Nathan Simpson, Kyle Gummelt, and Rick Gummelt.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like contributions to be made in Mark’s memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Building Fund, or the charity of your choice.