Mark Waite Marklin

Mark Waite Marklin, age 62, loving spouse, father, and grandfather, passed away April 25th after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. He is remembered as a hard-working man of integrity whose loyalty and generosity to family and friends was unwavering.  

Mark was born on February 14, 1962, in Islip, New York. Mark spent his youth playing baseball and riding bikes with the neighborhood kids and watching the new subdivision being built behind his home. As a teenager, he got a job at Smithtown Auto Body, where he nurtured a love for cars, a curious mind, and an innate mechanical ability that led him to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Mark used his mechanic skills to put himself through college, and he graduated from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. It was there that he met his wife, Lin, and they were married in Houghton in 1993. 

In their early marriage, Mark and Lin fostered 20 children over 9 years. With the children they fostered, Mark’s grace and patience impacted their young lives. They raised their 4 children in Richland. Mark was actively involved in Boy Scouts with his boys and soccer with all his kids. With all of his children, he opened his garage to them, letting them sit and watch while teaching them valuable lessons of self-sufficiency and of life.  Of course, making Menards and ice cream runs was part of the experience.

Mark’s hobbies included working on his cars and always being available to help with any and all car repairs for his family. He was affectionately known as Mr. Click & Clack for fielding many automotive questions from his sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Mark’s other great passion was home improvement. He fixed four of his own homes, as well as those of his father-in-law, sisters-in-law, his son, and his daughter. Mark loved the challenge of solving home repair problems, and the results of his handiwork brought him great joy. Later in life when his wife started playing Pokemon Go, Mark graciously played with her even though he didn’t have much interest. He unselfishly gave of his time ,whether it was playing Pokemon, fixing a broken car window, being a groomsman, searching for a missing cat, or mounting a giant TV. 

Mark was predeceased by his parents, George and Josephine Waite, and his sister, Maria Waite. He is survived by his wife, Lin, his children, Lukas (Jacqueline Metheny), Tyler (Ashlee), Tyler’s children, Brantlee and Madelynn, Landon, and Ember. Macie (Dylan Fackler), their child, Harper, daughter Lacie, and sister, Gail Wyant (Pat).

Mark will be greatly missed by extended family and friends, including sisters-in-law, Jan Quinlan (Tony), Kim Morgenstern (Doug Isokait), Ruth Miller (Scott), nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation is at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 on Wednesday, May 1, from 5:30pm-7:30pm. 

Funeral services will be held at Haven Church, 5350 North Sprinkle Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49004, on Thursday, May 2 at 11:00am, with viewing one hour prior. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Michigan Public Radio or Kalamazoo Animal Rescue.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.