He is survived by his wife, Carol (Ginny) of 51 years; his brother, Steve (Karen); his children, Amanda Butler/Evans (Bill), Alicia (Luke) Busby, Jodi (Ron) Pilatowski and Todd (Jane) Ihrig; Grandchildren, Madison Ihrig, Alexa and Hanna Busby, Leo and Jonah Butler, Jada (Jash) Rhodes, Kyla and Serena Evans and sisters-in-law, Barbara Garber and Karen Tuck, along with many nieces and nephews. Many special friends and neighbors enriched his life and brought joy and laughter.
Mark earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio State, a Master’s in Education from Kent State and did post graduate work at Ashland University.
His career spanned teaching home construction at Wayne County Schools Career Center, a Supervisor role at Ashland-West Holmes Career Center, and Director of Business at Pioneer Career and Technology Center.
He taught carpentry and many building trades to high school juniors and seniors and built a new home each year with his senior class. Many special relationships developed with quite a few of his students and some lasted his lifetime.
Mark was a master of his trade and learned this skill from working years with his father and brother, building many homes in the Columbus area. To his children, he was known for building larger and stronger which they affectionately came to refer to as “substantial.”
He had many interests that included landscaping, drafting, antique vehicles, fishing, music, (especially Celtic), reading, car trips and travel.
He was an active member of his church, Mansfield First Church of the Brethren, and served the Lord in many roles there. He often mentioned current and former pastors who greatly influenced his life and faith...Pastors Tina Hunt, Delbert Kettering, Paul Fike, Vaughn Loose and his father-in-law, Cletus Myers.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Mansfield First Church of the Brethren with calling hours one hour prior to the service from 10:00–11:00 a.m. officiated by Pastor Tina Hunt.
Godspeed, Mark, sweetheart, Dad, Papa, Grandpop, Grandpa, friend. See you later...
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mansfield First Church of the Brethren, Kind Hearts Hospice, Heifer Project and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario are honored to serve the family of Mark Garvin Herbert.
