Mark W Askin, Sr

ASKIN, Mark W., Sr.
Kalamazoo, MI Passed away March 28, 2009 at Bronson Hospital. Mark was born April 22, 1950 in Kalamazoo, the son of Donald and Hazel Askin and was a lifelong resident here. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era and was employed for the past 40 years as a Millwright Journeyman at Graphic Packing formerly Brown Paper Company. Mark was a member of the United Papermakers Union, AFL - CIO, local #1010 and was actively involved with the Native American Community. On August 6, 1988, he was married to Kerri Parker, who survives. Also surviving are children, Teresa Dave Maronek of Kalamazoo, Mark Kim Askin of Farmington Hills, Shannon Jeff Mann of Kalamazoo, Eric Christy Arnold of Columbia City, IN, David Askin and Bryan Askin; "adopted children", Jason Parker and Barry Wallace, both of Kalamazoo and Kelly Marc Vecellio of Georgia; 14 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Bruce Lucy Askin and Cheryl Rich Long, all of Illinois and Roger Askin of California; mother-in-law Blanche Parker of Kalamazoo; several nieces and nephews. A traditional Native American gathering will be held at 3:30 pm on Thursday, April 2nd at Mark's residence, 6343 S. 4th St. with a traditional Native American feast to follow. Interment services will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery on Monday, April 6 at 2:30 pm with military honors by the Ft. Custer Honor Guard and the U.S. Army. Those wishing to attend the service should gather in the funeral cortege assembly area by 2:15 pm.