Mark Blanchard, 81, passed away on December 28, 2024. He was born in Floresville, Wilson County, Texas on June 2, 1943, to Joseph T. and Janie Janacek Blanchard, the youngest of five kids. He married the love of his life, Olivia Olenick, on Thanksgiving Day in 1965. In their 59-year marriage, they had two daughters, Margo and Paula. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather-to-be.
After graduating from Edna High school in 1961, he went to Southwest Texas State College to earn his Bachelor degree in Elementary Education. He began his teaching career in San Antonio. While in San Antonio, Mark was awarded a grant for a Master’s degree. The grant was a program President Kennedy initiated to support higher education for fields in intellectual disabilities because he had a handicap sister. In 1968, he achieved his dream of a Master's degree in Speech Pathology at Our Lady of the Lake College. After receiving his Master’s degree, Mark moved to La Marque, TX to begin to begin his career as a Speech Pathologist. He worked in the La Marque and Dickinson ISD’s for 28 years at many levels of instruction or supervisory roles. In 1996, Mark moved to Clear Creek ISD as the Vocational Coordinator. In 1999, Olivia retired from teaching, so Mark and Olivia moved to Victoria to get closer to family. Mark taught high school Math and Science at Victoria ISD before becoming the Director of the Safe Schools, Healthy Students federal grant. After the grant ended, Mark retired after a 32-year career of doing classroom therapy, supervising programs, and having a private practice which enabled him to help many to achieve their potential. After retirement, Mark continued as a contract Speech Pathologist for VISD until 2013.
Mark was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 9088, and KJT. Mark extended his Christian kindness to Nazareth School, Promise Pointe, and his community.
His Christianity guided him to help many in the community by offering help that was needed. He especially made sure that hunger was diminished and vulnerable people were given assistance. "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." – 2 Corinthians 9:7
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Francis and Bernard Blanchard, sister-in-law Stella Blanchard and brother-in-law Charles Sheblak. Mark is survived by his wife Olivia Olenick Blanchard, daughters Margo Chilek (Ronny) and Paula Lamigo (Dwaine), grandchildren Skylar Iannacone (Anthony) and Devin Lamigo, sisters Mary Sheblak and Claudia Sheblak (Ted). He enjoyed the camaraderie of his many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He had so many stories to share and often spun quite a tale.
Pallbearers include David Sheblak, Steve Blanchard, Jay Blanchard, Stuart Jaksik, Steve Olenick, and Laurene Hornstein.
Honorary pallbearers are Dwaine and Devin Lamigo, Ronny Chilek, and Anthony Iannacone.
Contributions in his memory can be made to Promise Pointe, Habitat for Humanity, The Food Bank of Victoria, and Holy Family Church.
Visitation will be held on January 9th, 2024, at 5 pm, followed by the rosary at 7 pm at Rosewood Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow on January 10th at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Church, with burial at Karnes City Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
Words of comfort, condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
