Mark Francis Fitzpatrick

Mark Francis Fitzpatrick, 67, of rural New London, died on Monday, May 2, 2011 at his home of metastatic melanoma. He was born on September 29, 1943 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the son of John Joseph and Leona Anna Panther Fitzpatrick. Mark grew up and continued to live and farm north of New London on the Century Farm originally purchased by his great-grandfather. He attended New London Community School and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Burlington in 1961. In 1965, Mark graduated from Regis University in Denver, Colorado and later took postgraduate classes at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant. On September 7, 1968, Mark married Janice Darbyshire at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant. He was a life-long member of St. Alphonsus parish where he was on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Cemetery Committee and was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a past member of the parish council, Old Threshers committee and Autumn Festival committee. Mark was President of the Henry County Corn Growers Association, a board member of the Food Resource Bank, a member of the Big Creek Tractor Club and Three Rivers Tractor Club. He was a p...[more]

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member of the New London Lions Club, board member of Supply Coop, Inc. and a district soil commissioner. He loved farming with Case-IH equipment, traveling, snow skiing, scuba diving, flying his Cessna 172, going on antique tractor rides and drinking coffee with his buddies. Mark is survived by his wife, Janni, children: John (Mina) and Matthew (fiancee Julie Rich) of New London, Marisa (Tim) Keeney and Jennifer (Josh) Thomas of North Liberty, six grandchildren: Kaiden and Coen Fitzpatrick, Ashlyn, Ethan, and Gavin Keeney and Reagan Thomas, a brother, Rev. Edward Fitzpatrick, sister, Mary Ann (Steve) Messer, mother-in-law LaVon Darbyshire, along with nieces and nephews. His parents preceded him in death. Mark donated his body to the University of Iowa for scientific research. Visitation will begin after 1:00 pm, Thursday, May 5, 2011 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant. The family will receive friends following a 6:00 pm Prayer Service until 9:00 pm. The Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 11:00 am. Father Ed Fitzpatrick and Father Joseph Phung will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the St. Alphonsus Youth Ministry, New London Dollars for Scholars and Hospice of Central Iowa. Elliott Chapel is in charge of arrangements.