He was born June 17, 1965 to Jerry and Barbara (Horton) Rohrer.
He is survived by his parents, his life partner of 21 years Andy Schweizer of Normal; one sister Sue (Mike) Kiley of Bloomington, one brother Michael Rohrer of Pinecrest, NC; two nieces Stacy (Jess) Durako, Amy (Wyatt) Dowling, two nephews Jerrod Kiley and Aaron Rohrer; and great nieces and nephews Lauren Sue Durako, George William Durako, Kathleen Ann Durako, Dylan Reed Dowling, Nyla Cheryl Rohrer; and special friends Laura Stewart and Joanne Long.
He was preceded by his maternal grandparents John and Mary Horton and paternal grandparents Ina Rumler and Harry Rohrer.
Mark graduated from Bloomington High School Class of 1983. Mark was a 1986 graduate of Parkland College, Champaign, IL earning an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Food Service Management. Upon Mark’s return to Bloomington in 1991 he enrolled at Illinois State University to complete his education earning a BS in Business Administration in the fall of 1996.
Mark was a proud participant in the BHS work study program and started working at Eric’s Great Steaks in Bloomington and also managed the Eric’s Great Steaks in Peoria, IL for a year after graduating from BHS until moving to Champaign to attend Parkland College.
He was the Retail Greenhouse Manager at Growing Grounds Home & Garden Center from 2000 to 2007, a position that meant the world to him. Many thanks to Dale Nafziger and the staff of Growing Grounds for giving Mark the opportunity.
Music was always a big part of Mark’s life and he was a Djay at Chester Street in Champaign, Rich’s in Houston, TX and The Bistro in Bloomington. Mark loved the many cats he and Andy had over the years and they brought him immeasurable joy: Dexter, Rocky, Alisha, Mister Oreo, Gidget, Diva and Jack Daniels. Mark was a self-taught gardener and few things made him happier than spending many hours in his garden tending to his beloved cacti and tropical plants.
Mark courageously battled many health issues over the past twenty-five years and rarely complained. He loved his family, and was a friend to all that knew and loved him.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 20, 2019 5:00-7:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Thursday February 21, 2019 at 10 a.m. with a one hour prior visitation at St Patrick Church of Merna. Burial to follow at East Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mark’s name to Humane Society of Central Illinois.
