Mark E. Bleyaert was innate in Monroe on May 4, 1945.
He was one of six children born from the north of the former Grant Bleyaert and Violet (Strimbel) Bleyaert.
Mark attended St. Marys for grad school and was a 1964 graduate of Monroe High.
Mark married the passion of his life, the former Brenda Branham, on June 25, 1966 at St. Marys Church in Rockwood.
He retired early from Universal Tell Tech because of back problems. Following retirement, he worked at upholstery and at just being a general jack-of-all-trades, always helping others with a hand to keep his family.
Mark grew up with a particular tie to his grandfather, and late in life, he had that same bond with his own grandchildren.
He enjoyed working with his hands. He liked to fix things and loved to make different items for the grandchildren, including slingshots, tree houses, or just inventing stuff and being creative, because, of course, they consumed 100% of his interests.
He was a great son to his mother, visiting her every day until his health failed.
Mark was a member of St. Patrick Church.
Mark E. Bleyaert, age 66, of Carleton passed by at 12:40 a.m. Tues. Sept. 27, 2011, at his home.
In gain to his father, his pass was preceded by a brother-in-law, Loyd Krueger.
To treasure his memory, he leaves a wife, Brenda Bleyaert of Carleton; three daughters: Denise (Rick) Knicely of Temperance, Melissa (Chris) Feldt of Carleton, and Lorraine (John) Putnam of Carleton; mother Violet Bleyaert; brothers Lamont (Julie) Bleyaert of Georgia and Martin Marty Bleyaert of Monroe; sisters Margo (Ray) Knabusch of Monroe, Marcia Krueger of LaSalle, and Marlene (Gary) Coleman of Indiana; five grandchildren: Kayla and Hunter Feldt, Brooke Knicely, and Broc and Bret Putnam.
Friends may collect from 12-8 p.m. Thurs. Sept. 29, 2011, at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 N. Monroe, (734) 384-5185, where a Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. He will lie in state Fri. Sept. 30, 2011, from 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. Mass of the Resurrection at St. Patrick Church, 2996 West Labo, Carleton. Father Robert Bauer and Monsignor John Zenz will officiate. Procession will follow to Michigan Memorial Park for burial.
Memorial donations for those who desire are suggested to the family.
Online guests may leave words of aspiration and comfort, share a photo, make a donation, or send flowers by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.