Mark Albert Van Hoecke, 62 years young, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, May 13, 2022. He was born in Kansas City, MO to Albert and Frances (Woodrum) Van Hoecke.
Mark was raised in Kansas City and graduated from Hickman Mills High School in 1978. He enlisted in the United States Navy Seabees, shortly after. Mark honorably served his country from 1978 1982. While pumping gas and changing tires at the rural, hometown Ernie’s Gas Station in Kansas City, he met the one he would marry: Cindy Anible. The two wed on March 7, 1981 in Kansas City. Mark began as a mechanic with Firestone and moved up quickly. He reached the title of Regional Field Sales Manager while working for O’Reilly Auto where he would spend a 25-year career. The young family moved all over the Midwest for O’Reilly Auto, but it was a job Mark loved. Above all other things, nothing was more important to Mark than his family. He worked hard and strived to provide the best that he could for his wife and four boys.
When Mark wasn’t working, he would be out on the lake catching fish. He was a good fisherman and loved teaching his secrets to his family. To Mark, nothing beat a day combining his two favorite things: fishing and family. His life changed the day he took on the title “Grampa”. It was an honor and privilege that he held to the highest of standards. One could always count on Mark for the perfect comments or the right thing to make the kids laugh.
He was preceded in death by his son, Chene M. Van Hoecke; mother, Frances Van Hoecke; sister, Melissa Witthar; and brother, Steve Van Hoecke.
Mark’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Cindy Van Hoecke; sons, Justin (Anya), Wade (Stephanie), and Mark Van Hoecke, Jr.; father, Albert Van Hoecke; grandchildren, Maddelynn, Tanner, Haidie, Emma, Macy, and Cole; sister, Diane (Jim) Keane; brothers, Wes Van Hoecke, David (Patty) Van Hoecke, and Dan (Sheri) Van Hoecke; nieces and nephews, Abe, Albert, Betsy, Kenneth, Kyle, Amanda, Jamie, AJ, Jacob, Adam, Matthew, Rosie, Brittney, Dani, Jeani, and Schon; along with numerous cousins, other relatives, friends, and coworkers who became like family over the years.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake. A Celebration of Life for Mark will be held in Kansas City, MO on a near future date. Please check back to www.hhkfuneralhome.com for service detail updates.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Mark’s honor to: The American Cancer Society, Cancer Research: American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home.