Mark John Thanos, 48, of Chesterton, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2008. He and his father, John, were swept away by flood waters in a rain-filled ditch near their home. Mark was a 1978 graduate of Wirt High School, where he was junior and senior class president. A gifted four-sport athlete, Mark lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. Mark was a 1982 graduate of Ball State University, where he served as president of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He received his master’s degree in education from Purdue Calumet.

Mark taught English and government for twenty years at Wheeler High School in Union Township. During this time, he lent his vast coaching expertise to a variety of athletes, including those at Purdue Calumet, Andrean, Chesterton, and Wheeler. He also guided young athletes in AAU basketball and traveling baseball, teaching them fundamentals of sports and of life by urging his athletes to work hard and do their best. He continued to show his support of youth athletics by his involvement in the Chesterton Trojans Booster Clubs. While sports were his passion, Mark’s love for his sons was unsurpassed. His joy of family and friends, music, literature, the White Sox, the Raiders, and lazy weekends by the pool will always be remembered.

Mark is survived by his wife, Victoria, and two sons, John and Michael, all of Chesterton; his mother, Sophie (Jim) Misner of Merrillville; his sister, Alexis (Terry) Thanos Coady of Valparaiso; his step-son, Joshua Gaboian, of New York; his father-in-law, Allen (late Barbara) Evans of Merrillville; aunts Mary (late John) Bizanes of Crown Point; Tess (James) Bereolos of Munster; Fran (Stan) Drozdz of Ariz.; uncle Chris (Yvonne) Condo of Valparaiso; and former wife Bonnie Thanos of Chesterton. Mark will be greatly missed by his “little pup-pup”, Katie, and many other family members and dear friends.

He is joined in eternity with his father, John, who resided with him in Chesterton.

A funeral service, Fr. Andrew Corona officiating, will be held Thursday, September 18, at 2 p.m. at Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville.

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 1- 8 p.m. at Geisen Funeral Home in Merrillville. A Trisagion Service is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Please consider a contribution to his sons’ education fund, care of Alexis Thanos, c/o Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410. May his blessed memory be eternal. To share an online condolence with the family, please visit www.geisenfuneral.com

Posted 9/17/2008