"Mark you were so kind and loving, loved your smile and spirit . I will always remember those rides on the bike and memories and talks we had at Capital City Harley. So sorry I didn't get to say goodbye :( took care of my ill mom for 5 years in Texas, brought her back July 2014 she passed on Sept 29th and been grieving . I asked about you as I was going to come see you after the holidays and I just heard at our hog meeting you were in heaven :) I will miss you, I never stopped thinking about the fun times we had. We will be together again some day.. Please forgive me for not keeping in touch :( You were one of the greatest men I ever met in life. Your Harley hog friend :) Rest in peace !"
In loving memory of
Mark S. Bunker
August 27, 1953 - February 10, 2015
Marshall - Mark S. Bunker, age 61, went to his home in Heaven to hang out with Jesus on Tuesday morning February 10 with family by his bedside at home. He battled with esophageal cancer that was diagnosed in December. With the greatest faith and trust in the Lord Mark said "My ticket here just got punched a little early, I can do this! I have eternity with God in Heaven to be my motivation."
He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife, Sherrie; his children, Matt (Jamie) Flanigan and Jennifer (Kurt) Schreiner; Sherrie's sons in California, Todd and Joey (Tannaz); several grandchildren; nieces, nephews and his brothers, Brian, Scott (Amy) and Troy (Lynn); also BooBear, his loyal companion, and Jelly Bean and Tiger too.
He was born on August 27, 1953 in Chicago, IL to Dennis and Elizabeth Bunker who preceded him in death. Mark moved to Janesville at the age of 12 and graduated from Parker High School in 1971. Shortly thereafter he worked for the Beloit Corporation for 27 years until they closed. He always worked side jobs at restaurants, including Harpo's (Janesville), The Butterfly (Beloit) and Interlaken (Lake Geneva). Mark's longtime dream of opening his own restaurant came true in 2000 with the Blue Moon Steak-N- Brew in Columbus. After a fire took it down in 2005, he opened his next spot, the Blue Moon Pizza-Pasta-Creole in Lake Mills, which is still successful because of all his hard work, great homemade creations, and loyal customers. A very special thanks goes out to all his amazing employees for holding down the fort, great job. Mark's other restaurants were Blue Moon Pizza Company (Waterloo) and Blue Moon Depot (Jefferson). He enjoyed following the Packers, Badgers, Brewers and Bucks. His true passion was studying the word of God with his Bible study teacher, Pastor Elden Davis of Wittenberg Ministries. They enjoyed two mission trips together, helping people in Mexico. His third mission trip was to be in Honduras but was missed due to his illness.
A celebration of Mark's life will be held at DOOR CREEK CHURCH, 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Marc Maillefer officiating. A visitation will be held at the church on Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service.
A special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare.
"Be a light for the Lord. God Bless." Mark
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
1310 Emerald Terrace
(608) 837-9054
Tributes
"Patti, Lily and I are just stunned. We are so sorry for your loss Sherri - we just saw Mark when we went to eat there in November. He was such a generous and kind soul - the world is a much sadder place without Mark around."
"The world was a better place because of Mark. Our deepest sympathy to you Sherrie and the family. Mark's enthusiasm for life was contagious. We shared his interest in the Blues and all things Cajun and enjoyed bringing back pieces of New Orleans for his restaurants. The Blue Moon theme will keep on shining each time we remember our friend Mark. He lived in faith and will rest in peace."
"My Deepest symphathy Sherrie to you and your family.I really enjoyed working for you and Mark.He was a very nice person and a good boss he will be missed.I will keep you in my prayers."
"We sure enjoyed visiting with Mark. Such a wonderful man and super personality. We looked forward to early Fri. eves to visit with Mark before it got busy. We will miss Mark, we all had more joy in our lives because of this special man. Sherrie, I will pray for strength and comfort for you and all of Marks loved ones. Sincerely, Ann and Bob"
"Dear Sherrie and Family, I'm very sorry for the lost of a great husband. I worked with Mark at the Beloit Corp for 21 years and saw and talked to mark almost everyday. He was always smiling and never said anything that was bad about a person. He once told me alway be honest to yourself and others. Which I did ever since. Once the Beloit Corp closed, I lost track of Mark but never forgotten him and when I met other workers from work we did talk about Mark at times. Mark did change my life while working at the Beloit Corp in a very good way and made me a better person. I know where Mark is now and I bet he making some good food for everyone. Mark I know you are smiling and I will miss you but I know God has a plan for you. "
"Sherrie, I remember the first time we met you both in Columbus. I loved the blues that were playing in the place. I remember thinking, 'what a cool place and what a great couple.' The time you sat with Peggy and I thru dinner at the Depot is/was special. We both remember it fondly. We are so sorry for your lose and hope that you have the same strength that he appears to have had. You are special people whose path crossed ours and we are grateful and blessed. We care."
"MARK I WILL MISS YOU THIS YEAR ITS MY TURN TO BUY THE BRATS. THE NEXT TIME WI MEET YOU BUY. PLEASE PUT IN A GOOD WORD FOR ME. I MISS YOU AND MISS YOUR SMILE."
"So sorry to dear about Mark's passing Sherrie. My thoughts and prayers are with you And your family."
"Mark, Thanks for coming to Lake Mills and opening Blue Moon. We loved coming in for all your food -- pizza, pasta, creole -- and visiting with you. We shared many laughs over the years. Sherry, we are so very sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories! Please know we are all here for you. We will all meet again some day!!"
"We met Mark and Sherrie at our Antique store in Janesville, as they would search for treasures to decorate their restaurants and home. They quickly became special customers and then we found Blue Moon Pizza, which quickly turned into a common family event place for us. Mark's pizza will always have a special place with us. We battled our own family loss and cancer scare last year, so our hearts went out to Mark and family with prayers when we heard of his diagnosis. We are sad to hear of Mark's departure from this world, joyed to know he has found a new home. Rest in God's Love and Peace to your whole family."
"Mark you were taken way too young but obviously God has other plans for you! It was an honor to call you friend! I always enjoyed coming in and having you sit with us to chat a bit before our food came (best meatballs ever btw)! Sherrie will always be Sweetie to those of us you shared that endearment with! Sweetie may God wrap his loving arms around you and give you the peace and strength to move forward one foot at a time."
"Prayers of comfort and peace to Marks family and friends. I don't think any of us will ever forget that smile! "
"So sorry for your loss, Sherrie. I am stunned at the news. One of the saddest days for me was the day the restaurant burned down here in Columbus. You and Mark made the Blue Moon the town meeting place. I have many fond memories of you both. God bless. "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mark was such a pleasant wonderful person to be around. He had such a great smile and laugh. And I know he made my friend Sherrie very happy. Love you Sherrie. "
"Mark was a true friend to us. He always knew what table we liked and what we would wanted to drink. Always came over to talk and give us hugs. Wish we spent more time with him. We are blessed to have known such a great man. Honored to call him our Friend. "
"Sorry for the loss Sherrie aka sweetie"
"I had the best New Years Eve of my life at Mark's Blue Moon in Columbus! It must have been 2004 because it and the numerous other times I ate and drank there and enjoyed the ambiance he and Sherrie bestowed upon their customers made me want to buy a house in Columbus. Our loss is heavens gain and I'm sure he's keeping em smiling in heaven with his kind and joyful spirit! Thanks for touching my life Mark! I'll miss you!!"
"It is your voice Sherrie hat I hear when I read this joyful celebration of your dear husband...my sympathy for your loss and my congratulations to Mark for beating us to Heaven! God Bless him. You both are a light."
"RIP my friend, the greatest pizza this side of Milwaukee. Ride that Harley in Heaven and know that we will all miss you until that day we meet again."
"I LOVED LOVING YOU,,,
Thank you for sharing your life with me..
Miss you Honey:(.
I will be with you again one day....
Thank you for that smile...
Love Sweetie"
"I can't help but see him standing behind the bar with that big white apron on, and he's futtsin' with the side edges a little bit.......big! smile on his face, comin' over, and in that fun lovin' way, " How's it going Norto?" can hear his voice....I think I always will....."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marks family. He was a great guy. We really enjoyed our time we spent with him this past September in San Diego. You will be missed."
"So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you. "
"Hi Mark, You were always very kind to my brother and I, and always made us feel at home. Put in a good word to the Lord for me. ;) Rest in Peace buddy. "