Mark Richard Lillis

Mark Richard Lillis, 74, of Millstadt, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, February 15th, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri after a very courageous year-long battle with cancer. He was born on May 10th,1950 in East St. Louis, Illinois.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Monica (Gilligan) Lillis and stepfather Bill Hubbard.

Mark is survived by his loving wife of 47 years Denise (Alms) Lillis of Millstadt, Illinois, son and daughter in law, Jason and Tiffany Berry of Chicago, Illinois, daughter and son in law, Meghan and Jason Orsega of St. Louis, Missouri, grandson Noah Berry of Fairview Heights, Illinois, brother and sister in law, Vince and Tina Lillis of Tampa, Florida, and sister in law Karen Alms of Belleville, Illinois and brother Brett Lillis of Fairview Heights, Illinois, and one nephew, Kyle Roulanaitis.

Mark served his country valiantly in the United States Navy in the Vietnam war. He was a diver/electrician on the diesel submarine, "The USS Trigger". He also served as a Navy Reserve Seabee on a ship in the Persian Gulf War. Upon his honorable discharge, he worked as a Chemist at Granite City Steel for 46 years and was a proud member of the Steel Workers Union.

Mark, ever an Irishman, was known for his hyperbolic storytelling and infectious sense of humor. He truly never met a stranger. He would literally talk to anyone, always asked their name and made them feel like he had been their friend forever. Mark had a lot of fun qualities but eating with him was always a great time. Any food he ate was always, "This is the best god damn 'insert food he was eating' I've ever had! This enthusiasm was also declared with every new (and old) beer he drank.

Mark loved to travel with Denise, and they had many great domestic and international solo trips as well as trips with friends and family. Mark loved visiting maritime museums and State Capitals as well as playing golf with his buddies. The Blues was his favorite type of music. He and Denise went to many blues concerts, and he was able to volunteer at the St. Louis Blues Museum for several years. Mark also enjoyed betting on and watching horse races at Fairmont City and Keeneland, KY.

There will be a Memorial Gathering and Military Honors for Mark at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Interment will be at a later date at Lake View Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made in Mark’s memory to Evelyn's Hospice House in Creve Coeur, MO (www.foundationbarnesjewish.org/Give-Evelyns-House) and the Belleville Area Humane Society in Belleville, IL(https://bahspets.org/donate/).