Mark Heitmeyer Obituary

Mark Heitmeyer

Mark Heitmeyer, 63, of Leesburg, Florida, and formerly of Findlay, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 4, 2024, at home after a brave two-year battle with esophageal cancer.

He was born June 29, 1960, to Carl and Judy (Craig) Heitmeyer. He married Carolyn (Laube) Shade on March 12, 2007, and she survives.

Mark is also survived by his mother; father-in-law, Eugene Laube; daughters, Ashley Benedict of Findlay and Shelby (Mike) Cumberledge of Clarksville, Tennessee; stepsons, Mike (Chrissy) Shade of High Point, North Carolina, and Steve (Grace) Shade of Findlay; grandchildren, Avery and Drew Benedict, Rowan and Beckett Cumberledge, and Amelia and Eleanor Shade; two brothers, Terry (Alison) Heitmeyer of Lexington, Kentucky, and Scott Heitmeyer of Findlay; sister, Cindy (Russ) Chapman of Bloomdale; and brothers-in-law, John Laube, Richard (Sandy Neumeister) Laube, Denny (Jodee) Laube, and Dave (Debbie) Laube.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Mark grew up in Findlay and graduated from Findlay High School in 1978. He was a member of Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. He retired after working 34 years for Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in Findlay.

In 2018, he and Carolyn retired to Leesburg, Florida, where together they enjoyed playing golf, traveling, trivia nights, and many fun times with close friends they met in their neighborhood and while playing softball.

Mark was a dedicated dad that rarely missed his daughters' sporting events. He had a huge love for cars, specifically mopar muscle cars. He loved watching his best friend race sprint cars and attended many NASCAR races in his lifetime, a love that he passed along and shared with his daughters.

He loved to play golf and played many years in the Cooper Tire League. He got to celebrate the thrill of getting a hole-in-one while golfing in Florida. He enjoyed playing euchre with his cousins or his Cooper friends, many years of playing cards with his in-laws, and playing ball and board games with his grandchildren.

Mark loved his grandchildren dearly and cherished special times with each of them. He shared a special bond with his grown daughters and was an inspiration to them and to his stepsons to work hard, do the right thing, and be a good person. Mark leaves behind his loving family and so many good friends and close cousins who he loved and cherished throughout his lifetime. He always greeted family and friends with a hug and a smile. The loss of Mark's love and friendship will be missed by so many.

Carolyn and Mark would like to thank all of his family and dear friends who showered him with amazing love and support throughout his illness, his doctor team and favorite nurses (Susan, Suzie, and Lana) at Florida Cancer Specialists in the Villages, and the caring nurses (Chelsea, Justin, and Elizabeth) of Cornerstone Hospice Care Team in Leesburg.

Per Mark's request, private graveside services will take place at a later date with burial at Maple Grove Cemetery, Findlay.

In lieu of flowers, we request that memorial contributions be made in Mark's memory to Cornerstone Hospice of Tavares at http://cornerstonehospice.org, American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org, or an organization of the donor's choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.