Mark Roger Ealy
Mark was born in central Illinois on May 16, 1947, to Jim and Phoebe Ealy. He graduated from Mattoon High School in 1965 and went on to serve four years in the US Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. After his discharge from the military, he attended Lakeland Junior College in Mattoon, receiving his associates degree in 1972. He continued his studies at Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois at Springfield) and received his Bachelors Degree in 1974 with an emphasis on junior high education.
After being introduced to each other on a blind date in the summer of 1972, Mark married Patty McLane in Illinois on May 25, 1974. The two moved to Wisconsin that fall where Mark spent a year teaching sixth graders in Mauston before relocating to Adams County in 1975 where he then taught for thirty years in the Adams-Friendship Area School District. He taught several subjects to seventh and eighth graders at Friendship School (including the hands-on projects class) for a few years before settling in to teach his favorite subject of American history to local eighth graders in the junior high and then middle school until his retirement in 2005. Mark also coached junior high baseball, football, and wrestling for a good part of his teaching career.
Mark was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friendship, Adams County Retired Educators, and Roche-A-Cri Bowman. He was also a big fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Bears. He spent many volunteer hours helping with activities at Villa Pines Living Center, working with Friends of Roche-A-Cri State Park, and survey-ing seasonal frog and toad calls for the Wisconsin DNR. He liked to fish, bow hunt for deer, canoe, tent camp, and geocache. He and Patty traveled to all fifty states together but enjoyed the Colorado mountains and the Oregon coast the most. They also had many favorite places to visit around Wisconsin, but in recent years they focused on hiking the Ice Age Trail route in the central part of the state, covering over three hundred miles in their time on foot.
After surviving prostate cancer in 1999, Mark rode his bicycle at least 1000 miles every year, most recently putting 2500 miles on the bike in 2020. He could be seen riding the roads of Adams County in his yellow shirt from the time that the asphalt was free of snow and ice until the cold temperatures late in the year had him hanging up the bike for a few months each winter.
Mark is survived by his wife of 47 years, Patty, brothers John (Barb) Ealy of Ohio and Tom Ealy of Illinois, sister Pat (Joel) Nye of Hawaii, and sisters-in-law Kathy (Bill) DeVoe of Mauston and Nancy (Bob) Lazar of Illinois. Although having no children of his own, he was Uncle Mark to thirteen nieces and nephews and twenty “greats.” He was preceded in death by his parents and many aunts and uncles.
Mark left us during a stretch of summer days that would have been perfect for bike rides on the back roads of Adams County. He left us at a time of year when the woods and fields were full of deer and the waters were full of large bass. He left us when the wildflowers lined the trails and roadsides and the sun was shining warmly on fields of corn and hay. He left us when his baseball team was on top and his football team had yet to lose a game. While he left us before the days got too cold and the hours of daylight got to be too few, he left us too soon.
Memories of Mark and your condolences may be directed to the family at PO Box 67, Adams, WI 53910.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Ealy helped me appreciate a love for American history. He always challenged me to get my facts right and think about what I wanted to say before I said it. I was happy to see him a few years ago at a retired teachers lunch. When I answered that social studies was the most important general subject that prepared me for my career, his smile went from ear to ear. May God bless you in your time of sorrow.
I am sad to hear of Mr. Ealys passing. He was one of my favorite middle school teachers. I was quiet and got picked on a lot. He made me laugh and taught me how to stand up for myself. I am so sorry for your loss
I am so sorry to learn of Mr. Ealy’s passing. I have fun memories of being in his class in middle school. I remember he taught me how to take a compliment… I was in that awkward middle school phase when social interactions of any type were a challenge. Mr. Ealy was kind and patient and seemed to truly understand middle school kids. I remember we were waiting in line for lunch and someone (an adult) complimented me on something. I laughed or rolled my eyes or something immature because I didn’t know how to take it. And he kindly shared how to be grateful and accept a compliment. I still to this day I remember this life lesson. Thank you, Mr. Ealy. You were a good man.
Blessed be the memory Mark Ealy…. great teacher to our children and member of our church. Peace, love and comfort to the family.
“A word to the wise, is sufficient”, that was Mr Ealy’s saying. Still rings true after forty-four years later! God’s peace be with you and your family.
“A word to the wise, is sufficient”, that was his Mr Ealy’s saying. Still rings true after forty-four years later! God’s peace be with you and your family.
So sorry to hear of Mark’s passing. Had many good times with Mark and you, Patty. Especially the fantastic lasagna party get-togethers for so many years. Also remember you and Mark helping the Labor Day weekend that we spent setting trusses on our new house about 1987. Thank you for all the hospitality that you and Mark bestowed to all who attended your parties. God bless Mark and especially you on the rest of your earthly journey.
Mark (Mick) was a good friend at a time when we both needed good friends, as young kids and teens growing up. I was honored to be friends with Mick’s family, too and spent many nights at Jim and Phoebe’s home playing ping pong and pinochle. Mick did not like to lose nor suffer cheaters. We enjoyed fishing at a pier near an all-purpose shop that sold American and Mexican food – and bait..! Although our later lives didn’t cross paths as much as I wished, I will always think fondly of him and our time together.
My sons Mike Pieper, Joe Pieper, and myself give our condolences to the family. He was such a wonderful man and will be missed dearly.
Mark took me under his wings on my first day on a flight line crew in the U.S. Air Force 47 years ago right out of basic training and tech. school. He introduced me to his other friends and we always arranged to be room mates at all of our assignments for four years as airmen. For 47 years he has been the most faithful and loyal friend anyone could ever hope to have in a life time. He will not soon be forgotten. I know Mark is with the Lord now and someday we will meet again and perhaps we will reminisce anew our memories and joys. For now, I will lift up my prayers for you, Patt. The the Lord will comfort you and carry you through this difficult chapter in your life and that you will come out the other side restored and at peace.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Mark was a very special individual! He will truly be missed.
My deepest sympathies to family and friends. So very sorry to hear of Mr. Ealy’s passing. I hope you all are able to find peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Mark and I started teaching at what was then AF Junior High in 1975. As the buildings, and the name changed to the Middle School, we taught together until we reached our individual retirements. Mark always wanted each student to succeed. He cared passionately about his job teaching U.S. history and his coaching. Mark was the kindest man! He always asked about the well-being of myself and my family. He volunteered his time at Villa Pines, where he helped the residents when they played group games. Myself and my family will miss seeing Mark. He was “ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS.” I am so sorry-Patty Kobs, along with Greg, Izzy and Alex
So sorry for your loss of your beloved husband.
Sending our deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗
Sorry for your loss. Mark did so many things with us. Teacher, baseball coach, hunting, deliver of wonderful Christmas cooking. Mr Early will always be in our hearts.
Eric Cila we had a similar situation when we had no eighth grade (or freshman year) baseball coach so he “stepped up to the plate”. We didn’t have any uniforms either. But he coached us to an undefeated season. He let us have a lot of fun and even experimented by having everyone in the lineup bunt – from the first batter to the last. seven or eight of us got on base that way. I’ll never forget it. What a guy!
I knew Mark as Mick. Mick was an honest, trustworthy, dedicated person with great Midwestern values. He enjoyed fishing, biking, and traveling with Patty, his wife. The world has lost a wonderful sole.
My condolences to Mark’s friends and family! He was a terrific teacher, and I’m thankful to have taken his classes. I’m also thankful for our conversations over the years when he would see I was visiting my mom and stop to chat. May God grant him rest.
This man came into my mind in recent days so powerfully that I was compelled to tell my wife, who never knew him, all about what he meant to me. The timing is conspicuous, in that, I told Shannon Cila that it was a great desire of mine to pen a letter to him after all these years to tell him about his influence in my life. Mark Ealy should be remembered for the great and selfless works he left behind.
I first encountered Mark as a teacher in Friendship WI and he became known to many of us as “The Ice Man”…Eli the Ice Man. It was a quasi-affectionate term given because he was the teacher you respected and the authority you dare not cross. He was the last of his kind, inspiring full order and discipline no matter how rambunctious you were as a kid. Still, we would ask the DJ at a school dance to dedicate Foreigner’s song “Cold as Ice” to Mr. Ealy (anonymously, of course).
More than that, Mark was not some stone figure that you dared not approach. He engaged you in your mind and in your life. He challenged you to do the right thing. I believe he truly cared about his students and sought to bring out the best in them in a straightforward and serious way.
In 8th grade we were not going to have a wrestling season, for lack of a coach. Mark Ealy threw his hat in the ring and determined to coach us, though he had no wrestling background. He really knew nothing about it, but he was determined to see it through. Wrestling had a profound effect on my young life at a time when I was one of the smallest boys in my class (with one of the biggest mouths).
I grew into my own lifelong confidence with what I got from my challenges and successes in wrestling. That chance for me could easily have been derailed if not for the selfless effort of Mark Ealy as “Coach”.
On another occasion, Mark engaged several of us to go trout fishing when the season opened one year. I don’t remember the crew, and I don’t know why he chose the dudes he chose. He just took an interest in our well-being to give up his Saturday and traipse all through some woods from stream to stream. We caught nothing, but I’ve never forgotten it. It was a time when my own father was too ill with asthma, and other health conditions to even be able to walk on his land with us as he had done so many times when we were little. I’ve personally never gone trout fishing before or since, but trout is my favorite fish in the whole world to eat. If it’s on a menu…that’s what I get.
Decades later, when I returned home to Adams-Friendship, I saw that Mark was still living there and a friend of mine related the story that Mark had survived a bout with cancer that might have taken most people. Actual word on the street was a true reverence for his courageous battle. I assumed it to be true, but I never got to chat him up all the while I lived there. All my challenges in life were humbled by Mark’s own trials. Would that I had made the effort to seek him out in those years…opportunity lost.
It is odd timing, and no coincidence, that Mr. Ealy…Eli the Iceman…Mark Ealy would so powerfully come into my mind, probably in his final hours. I wish I had made the time to write this letter at the moment I thought of it to thank him and honor him for his selfless efforts while he yet lived. I told my wife, only a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to write this letter to him. I wish he could have read it to know that he is appreciated for his courage and his commitment to others. Mark Ealy had a profound effect on the trajectory of my life by his efforts.
Mark Ealy, You were somebody. You mattered. May God rest you and keep you. Old Friend.
Condolences to Mark’s Family and to all those who loved him from Eric Cila and Family.
So sorry for your loss. Mr. Ealy was a great teacher. I enjoyed his classes and he always made learning fun.
Thoughts and prayers for the family. He was my teacher in middle school.
Ray and I send our prayers and condolences to Mr. Ealy’s family. It was always great to see him go by the house. May he Rest In Peace.
So sorry for your families loss………..
Thinking of you Patty. You will be in my to thoughts and prayers.
Mark was a great guy and will be missed very much.
Mr. Ealy was my grandma’s next door neighbor before he was my 8th grade teacher. What a great man and teacher 🙂
Sending all the love vibes your way 🤗
Ride on Mr. Ealy XOXO
I will always know “Mark” as Mick. We grew up in the same era in Mattoon, Illinois going to the same high school although three years apart. He was easy going, had a good sense of humor and had the kind of values the Midwest is known for. His youngest brother, Tom, was and is my best friend although he didn’t much share our passion for fishing. Many bass and carp in Coles County Illinois trembled when they learned he was at the end of the fishing line (wink, wink). Patty was my ex-wife’s college roommate and we set up Mick and Patty on that infamous blind date to play mini golf 50 years ago. He and Patty remained close friends for many years and even helped us move to my first real job in 1976 in Ohio. The world has lost a humble, good and dedicated man who loved to teach and enjoy the outdoors. He found his perfect companion in Patty. Miss you buddy.
Sorry for your loss. He was an awesome person and teacher.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Mark touched many lives and will be remembered fondly. Cherish the memories of all the times you have shared.
With heartfelt sympathy to the family. “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Our sympathy to you Patty and your family. We got to know Mark well when we saw him in church, in school functions and helping him with wiring projects in his home.
Our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones!
Our heartfelt love & condolences!
I’m so sorry that Mark has passed. Our connections at the Relay for Life events were great. We both fought that nasty fight. God will help you heal, Patty.
Thinking of you with love. Mark was quite the guy! It was a pleasure to have gotten to know him.
When I started teaching in 1995, I traveled to the MS to teach Health Occupations out of Mark’s classroom. I also traveled to a couple classes with Mark as I completed courses for my teaching license. I spent some valuable time with this precious soul, and there was never a doubt his love for education. His laugh and smile puts a smile on my face just thinking about him. Rest In Peace dedicated servant. You made a difference in the lives of thousands, and will be missed.
So sorry for your loss he was a great man and a wonderful teacher.
So sorry to hear this! Mark was an awesome person and really cared about the kids. I will always remember him riding by my house as I drank my morning coffee! He will be missed and remembered by many! As a fellow history lover (and former f.i.b.) I can relate to his Illinois roots. LOVED the obituary…just a perfect memorial! Take care Patty!
Deb and I send our condolences to you and family. Mark was a great person and we would have many discussions regarding our favorite football teams. We would sit together at the wrestling matches and compare ‘our take’ on a referees call, or the particular move our home team wrestler should make in order to win the match. It didn’t matter the situation or place or event, he always addressed me as “Mr. Boettcher.” Well Mr. Ealy, we will see you along the way. In Friendship, Your Friend, Ron Boettcher
From Tom and Terri Beversdorf:
Mark was a great asset to the middle school and a great team player to all staff! He loved the Chicago Bears, History, and has left an impact on many students. He will be missed!
Our deepest sympathies!
Patty & family,
Sincerest sympathy. Mark was a wonderful man & teacher. He was so.proud of his students. He always made a special point to ask about our boys. He sincerely cared.
I’ll miss him coming for a brat on his bicycle.
Dawn, Rock, Zeke & Wyatt
So sorry for your loss he was a great man(he kept my attention in class) an teacher an will be missed by meny
So sorry to hear of Mr Ealy’s passing. He was my 7 and 8 grade teacher. What a truly nice guy. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP
We are so sorry for your loss. Peace to you all.
We are so very sorry to hear about Mark’s passing. He lived a life that impacted so many and he will be dearly missed. So grateful we had the opportunity to serve this community with him when he was teaching.
Our deepest condolences.
I am so sorry he was a great man and teacher
My condolences and deepest sympathies go out to all of Mr Ealy’s closest family and friends. One of the best teachers and people I had the pleasure of knowing. Before covid I spent many of late fall winter days chatting and working out together. Rip Mr Ealy.
I had Mr. Ealy 6 grade thru 8th grade at friendship Jr. High great teacher, great man, so sorry for your loss
I’m really sad to read this today. Whenever the NFL season begins to start I would remember our bond for the Chicago Bears and how we were able to celebrate a few wins together. My condolences to the family (also my tutor).
With deepest sympathy, Patty. Mark was a wonderful teacher who always maintained a chill vibe. My parents spent a fair amount of time with the Ealy’s through teacher’s parties over the years. Mark was a good conversationalist. I have fond memories of hearing about his ongoing ping pong matches with Clark Staehling. Also remembering that Mark loved the Cubs. Thoughts and prayers are with you, Patty and the extended family.❤️🙏✌️
My condolences to Mr. Ealu’s family and friends.
Mr. Ealy was my 8th Grade History teacher. He was an amazing and well loved teacher. You could really tell he loved teaching and he loved American History. His lessons were some of the lesson I would never forget as I went through school and college. He showed us history in a wonderful way.
Thank you Mr. Ealy, for all you’ve taught us and all you have given us.
You will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers with the family. He was an amazing teacher to me many yrs ago.
So sorry for your loss, I remember when he started teaching in Adams school district
I am truly sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of Mr Ealy as a Teacher, Coach and always a friendly conversation whenever I saw him in his retirement years. RIP Mr Ealy!!
So very sorry for your loss. Mr. Ealy was one of our favorite teachers. American History is still one of my favorite subjects.
May your memories help you through this hard time.
So sorry to hear of Mr Ealy’s passing. He was my 7th and 8th grade history teacher. My condolences and prayers 🙏to his family.
Pat, I’m so sorry to learn of Mark’s passing.
Mary Braund aka monkeyman81
Sorry for your loss. He was a great 8th grade teacher and friend of my parents. I believe that I was on a bicycle ride down 11th Avenue on way to Easton and passed him out there several miles from town maybe 10 years ago and I always remember him from St. Joseph’s Church doing the offertory collection when my parents played and sang with choir on Saturday evenings.
Pat, I am so incredibly sorry for your and also everyone’s loss. Mark was a wonderful man. Please keep your incredible memories alive to help you through this difficult time.
We are so very sorry and always enjoyed getting together with you both. You remain on our hearts.
Patty, we send our condolences at Mark’s passing. May all your good memories and faith sustain you. Dave and Jane Grabarski
Patty, we send our condolences at Mark’s passing. May all your good memories and faith sustain you. Dave and Jane Grabarski
Mark and I coached football against one another for many seasons. In later years, as we reacquainted through Geocaching, he laughed at, and confirmed the truth of, the following story. One of my little 8th graders came off the field and told me in his high squeaky voice, “That Adam’s kid across from me has chest hair sticking out from his shoulder pads!”. Yup, Mark said he had a few mature 16 year olds on his 8th grade teams. I will miss coaching, caching, and fishing adventures with you Mark. And to Pat, our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
We have such a big family that is spread across many, many miles, there is sorrow felt around the country at the loss of this wonderful man. Even though I have never met you, Patty, my prayers are with you at this time of loss.
So very sorry Pat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 🙏😢❤️
His obituary brought a smile to my face along with a few tears. Although I don’t know either of you personally, Facebook brought us together. My deepest condolences and love to you at this difficult time.
So sorry to hear about cousin Mark. He was an awesome guy and will be missed!
Our deepest condolences, Patty.