Mark was a person who felt he was put on this earth to help others.  I met Mark in 2017 when I moved to Immanuel residence.  Since then Mark taught me how to do for others just like he did.  Mark in his time here on earth lived up to his calling always helping others.  Mark my friend you are missed.  

Born LeRoy LeVern Faris, on March 9, 1938, in Marshall, MO, to Roy Lee Faris and Stella Ann Hartman Marks.

Ater leaving high school in his senior year, he joined the United States Air Force at age 17, and served from 1955-1959 and 1962-1966.  He received the Outstanding Organizational Award once and the Airman of the Month Award twice.  At the time of his honorable discharge, he received the Air Force Longevity Service Award.  Due to a work accident while on duty, he became a disabled American Veteran.           
       
In the fall of 1966, he began his studies with the Priests of the Sacred Heart and professed temporary vows with this religious community in 1968.  He received a Master of Divinity degree from Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, WI, in 1976.  On July 12, 1976, he legally changed his name to Mark Vincent Faris.                   

After he left the Priests of the Sacred Heart, he made several unsuccessful attempts to join a monastic community.  At various times, he cared for his grandmother, mother, step-mother, and father.  With the remainder of his working days, Mark involved himself in AIDS Ministry at St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic Worker House, Chicago; with Esperanza Homes in Chicago, caring for mentally challenged individuals; and at ARC Retreat Community in Stanchfield, MN.  In retirement, he resided at Immanuel House, in Evergreen Park, IL.

Mark was born to eternal life on June 13, 2024.   He was preceded in death by his father Roy, his mother Stella, his step-mothers Ronda and Eveline, his brother Ronnie, and step-brothers Jack, Donald, and Vernon.  He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Bobbie Faris; his sister-in-law, Jeanette Faris; his nieces Haley, Rochelle, and Suzanne; and second cousins Jim Marion and Tina Ayers.  His cremains are interred at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL

A gentle and compassionate man, Mark willingly opened his heart to anyone in need.  Some friends would say he was generous to a fault, but to the degree that he was able, he willingly shared his time, talent, and money.  This lifetime trait would be significant enough, but above all else, Mark nurtured his artistic soul.  His eyes absorbed beauty, and with a pen or brush in his hand, he created beauty with the simplicity of a fluid line, the decorative repetition of a pattern, and the interplay of sensuous colors.  

With minimal formal training in art, he explained that he simply copied what he saw.  For a time, he worked as an embosser for the Hallmark Greeting Card Company and did sign painting and murals for Movieland Frontier Town Antique Mall in Colton, CA.  However, he found these experiences much too confining.  An ink blot, a stain, a torn piece of paper, or a Styrofoam tray held as much invitation to create as a blank canvas.  Mark helped us see the gracefulness of the human form, the intricate simplicity of nature, and a touch of the divine in all things.   



This is a photo of Mark Vincent Faris in uniform.

MARK VINCENT FARIS

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