Mark Alexander MacDonald

Mark Alexander MacDonald, 50, died Monday, May 28, 2013 in Chatham, Ill at his residence. Born May 21, 1963, in Manhattan, N.Y., he was preceded in death by his father, James Alexander MacDonald, in 1978, and by his mother, Ann �Nancy� MacDonald, in Nov. 2012. Mr. MacDonald is survived by Anita Stienstra of Chatham, and stepson Michael Buis, stepdaughter Lindsey Buis and step-granddaughter Sydney Broida, all of Chatham. He is also survived by an uncle, Thomas (Joyce) Markham of Babylon, N.Y.; and cousins Denise (David) Serewicz of St. Charles, Ill. and Eileen (Tom) Berreca of Westport, Conn. Mr. MacDonald attended St. John�s University in New York City, served in the United States Air Force as an aircraft armament systems specialist, and received his CDL license. After moving to Springfield from San Francisco, he worked for Quality Lighting. He was a member of the St. Andrew Society of Central Illinois and Clan Donald Illinois. He loved the bagpipes and all things Celtic and was extremely proud of his Scots heritage. He was awarded Yoga Siromani by the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, was a published poet, avid reader and communicator, and loved to travel. He was an all-around kind and generous human being who was admired and treasured for his brilliance and uniqueness. A special thanks to Memorial Home Services Hospice and everyone that helped care for Mark during his long brave battle with Multiple Sclerosis and/or one of the bouts of pneumonia that eventually took his life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield MS Support Group, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., 1237 W. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62704 or Memorial Home Services Hospice, 720 N. Bond St., Springfield, IL 62702. Cremation rites will be accorded by Cremation Services of Central Illinois, Chatham. A memorial gathering will be held at Staab Polk Memorial Home, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, on Friday, May 31, at 6:30pm until time of services at 7:00. Friends are invited to share memories of Mark and poems.