Mark Anthony Haley

     Mark A. Haley, age 95, of Bannister, Michigan passed away, Saturday, September 13, 2025, peacefully, at his daughter’s home with his family by his side.
      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, Bannister, MI at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 18, 2025, with Father Andizej Boroch presiding. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Elba Township, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
     Mark was a lifelong Catholic was born in Lockport, New York on April 26, 1930, the son of Raymond and Kathleen (Collins) Haley. Mark attended DeSales Catholic School, and later graduated from Lockport High School where he ran track. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree, when he attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He enjoyed lawn bowling, hockey, and watching sporting events. He graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with an Associate’s Degree in Hotel Management. He was a member of the Phi Theta Gamma fraternity there and served as their Chaplain. He later attended Michigan State University. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1954, and was stationed in Japan during the Korean Conflict as a typist and cryptographer. He spoke basic Japanese and French.
     On December 28, 1971, he married Mary Helen Guerrero at St. Joseph’s Church in Owosso, Michigan. They had three children, Kathleen, Kenneth and Cynthia. In 1978, his wife passed and he became a dual caregiver. He continued to work at Oldsmobile for thirty years.
     Mark had a zest for traveling, seeing all 49 states except Alaska, hitchhiking to New Mexico and back; then hitchhiking to Michigan to work at the Hotel Rowe in Grand Rapids. He explored many different countries after retirement, including Ireland, England, and France. He enriched himself in the local culture and believed in packing light (no more than a duffel bag). Mark embodied a life of adventure. He was not a materialistic man, but rather found joy in experiences and relationships. He was famous for his exercise routine that kept him young and fit, that he called his Daily Dozen, along with his love of roller skating and walking. He was forever a student and always enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others. He was an avid coin collector and looked forward to visiting coin shops wherever he landed.
     In more recent years, Mark chose to live in Wenatchee, Washington, where he had spent time during his military service. There he enjoyed the mild temperatures and he developed a community of friends. A year ago, Mark returned to Michigan where he spent quality time with family.
     Mark was predeceased by his wife, Mary Helen; his parents, brothers: Raymond, Eugene, William, and Earl, and sisters: Monica (Francis) Wruck, Rita (Daniel) Illig , and Dorothy (Martin) Hickey, brother’s in -law, John Taylor, Francis Wruck, Martin Hickey, Russell Moore, Daniel Guerrero Sr., Modesto and Amador Guerrero, sisters- in-law, Mary Kay Haley, Refugia Johnson, Marcella Moore, Felipa Luiz, and son- in- law, Eric Kremer.
     He is survived by his children: Kathy (Fred)Heinze of St. Charles, MI; Ken (Deena) Haley of Brighton, MI; and Cyndi Haley of Alma, MI; his siblings: Janet (John) Taylor of Lockport, NY, Frank (Jane) Haley of The Villages, FL, and one brother in-law, Daniel Illig of Lockport, NY and John (Katherine) Guerrero of Bannister, MI. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Bradley Heinze, Mary Abshagen, Mattea, and Mili Haley; Nick, Ava, and Claudia Kremer; Camille, Maeve and Audric Haley; and one great-grandson Rowan Abshagen.
     Memorials may be made to St. Cyril’s Catholic Church- Faith Formation program, Bannister, MI, Ovid-Elsie Girls’ Soccer Team, or the Ovid-Elsie Girls Basketball Team. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.