Mark Stephen DiStefano

Mark Stephen DiStefano of Channelview, Texas passed away January 17, 2016 at the age of 62. He was born May 2, 1953 at Deaton Hospital in Galena Park, Texas to the late Sam and Bernice DiStefano, the fourth of nine children. Mark was a loving son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle and friend.

After attending Galena Park High School, Mark entered the working world at Drummond Bros. Fina station in Galena Park. From that time forward, Mark’s entire working life was spent building, maintaining or repairing something mechanical with his hands. Mark had a great work ethic and a natural mechanical inclination as anyone who knew him would attest. He was the guy you called to fix it when you couldn’t fix it yourself. It was not like Mark to boast, but occasionally he would mention one of his accomplishments. As a crane operator for Jerry Evridge and Empire Erectors years ago, he was proud to have set the first radar antenna ball atop the new KPRC channel 2 studios. For the past twenty-five years he worked as a maintenance mechanic for Stolthaven and was known not only for his mechanical skills, but for his own brand of humor.

Mark was a faithful member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic church in Galena Park his entire life. He took very good care of his mother and every Saturday night until her passing would attend Mass with “the BOSS” ( as he would call her) followed by dinner at her house.

Mark would often call his brothers and sisters just to check and make sure they were doing okay and they could also count on an early morning call of well wishes each year on their birthday. He was the family guardian.

When Mark wasn’t working or with family, he could be found at his home on the river having weekend coffee or sharing a meal with Ike and the neighbors or spending some of his hard earned “down time” in the country at his farm in Latexo getting away from the “crazies” in the city. He will surely be missed.

Mark was preceded in death by his aforementioned parents Sam and Bernice and brothers Sammy and Rick DiStefano.

He is survived by his brothers David DiStefano and wife Darla of Jacinto City, Larry DiStefano and wife Robin of Huffman and his sisters Cynthia Ross and husband David of Pasadena, Celeste Evans and husband Russell of Deer Park, Laura Coffman and husband Doug of Tomball, Lisa Elkington and husband Steve of Houston, twenty-one nieces and nephews and twenty-two great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, January 22, 2016 from 5:30-8:30 PM at Advantage Howard Glendale Funeral Home, 1015 Federal Road Houston, Texas 77015 (713)453-6373. A Funeral Mass celebrating Mark’s life will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church 1705 8th Street, Galena Park, Texas. The interment will be at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, Texas 77023 (713) 928-5141 immediately following the service.