Mark Lavern Pendleton, of Holts Summit, formerly of Iberia, was born March 10, 1933, at Jefferson City, a son of Ray Wilson and Anna Ellen (Kehr) Pendleton, and departed this life at 1:17 p.m., on Monday, October 12, 2020, at his residence. He had attained the age of 87 years, 7 months, and 3 days.

On August 27, 1953, at Kansas City, Mark entered into active federal service in the Army of the United States and served until June 21, 1955, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Carson, Colorado, at the rank of Private First Class. During his military career, Mark received his basic training and advanced schooling to be a cook at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was assigned to the 47 ^th Transportation Company while at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was awarded and entitled to wear the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. A man of excellent character, Mark's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country during the Korean Conflict.

Mark was united in marriage on September 15, 1956, at Iberia, to the former Miss Margie Bell Dake, and this union, four children were born.

He was a devoted and faithful member of the Fairgrounds Road Church of Christ, Jefferson City, where he worshiped regularly. Mark was a graduate of the Iberia High School, where he enjoyed playing baseball. He also liked fishing, squirrel hunting, Cardinal Baseball, and doing lawn work after retiring. During his working life, he was employed by the Missouri Department of Corrections, Jefferson City, in November of 1958, as a Food Service Cook, and worked there for over thirty-two years, prior to his retirement in November of 1988.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mark include: One son, Stephen Ray Pendleton, of Jefferson City; one daughter, Debra Jean "Debbie" Kreisel, and husband, Ricky, of Centertown; one son-in-law, Danny Prenger, of Taos; one brother, Myrl Pendleton, of Iberia; five grandchildren, Amber Ellis (Timothy), Donnie Eveler (Guinevere), Wesley Prenger (Bethany), Mark Eveler (Chloe), and Eric Prenger; eight great-grandchildren, Timothy, Ty, Hezekiah, Parazetta, Clinton, Estella, Dane, and Russell; and a host other relatives and friends. Mark was also known by other names, "Preacher," "Big Wheel," and "Little Wheel" and by however you knew him, he will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie, on December 9, 2011; one daughter, Diane Kay Prenger, on December 3, 2018; one son, Mark David Pendleton, on December 31, 2019; one granddaughter, Jennifer Mary Prenger, in 1998; one great-granddaughter, Caylee Constance Ellis in October of 2013; his father, Ray, in 1953; his mother, Anna, in 1965; and two brothers, Marvin Oris Pendleton on March 24, 2006, and Charles Ernest "Ernie" Pendleton on June 6, 2019.

Visitation for Mr. Mark L. Pendleton will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, October 17, 2020, in the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 406 South Main Street, Vienna, Missouri 65582, with his funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel with Minister Brent Newton, Fairgrounds Road Church of Christ, Jefferson City, officiating.

Interment, with full military honors, will be next to his beloved wife and son in the Union Cemetery, near Iberia, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna. Pallbearers for Mr. Pendleton will be Donnie Eveler, Mark Eveler, Wesley Prenger, Eric Prenger, Tim Ellis, and Ricky Kreisel, and honorary pallbearers will be Myrl Pendleton, Edward Martin, Don Thompson, Kenneth Thompson, and posthumously, Carl Shelton, Marvin Pendleton, and Ernie Pendleton.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Mark L. Pendleton are suggested by his family to the Fair Haven Children's Home with envelopes available at the funeral home or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Missouri 65582.