MARK ANTHONY COMER
Mark Anthony Comer, son of Merrill “Mike” and Kathy (Fifer) Comer, was born June 22, 1967 at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, IA. Mark would welcome his younger sister, Kim, into the family. Mark grew up near Kellerton and graduated from Lamoni High School in 1985. Mark played football but he really enjoyed being outdoors; hunting and trapping. His trapping success helped him buy his first car. Mark attended Baptist Church Summer Camp where he was baptized and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Growing up, Mark was close to his sister, Kim, and Uncle Roy and they were known as “The Three Musketeers!”
Mark had an infectious smile which showed that he loved life. He had the ability to draw people in and was a fun guy to be around. He enjoyed showing his love for people with a hug and “I love you”.
Mark shared his love and resources with many over the years. In June of 1986, he had a son, Jeff Brown, with Shelly Moody. On January 1, 1995, Mark married Aimee Snedeker and welcomed into his home Cassie and Leslie. He raised them as his own daughters. In January 1996, a daughter, Harlee Comer, was born. Over the years, he transitioned into grandpa and loved the time they all spent at Ramada Inn Waterpark in Des Moines and other activities. In 1998, Mark began sharing his life with Tina Thomas and they had a son, Gage Comer. Family was important to Mark and the gatherings were not to be missed. Mark was always looking for deals and collectibles at flea markets, auctions and Good Will.
Mark was always in the construction business. As he would sometimes be asked what he was up to, he would answer, “Just another day of hard labor!” Mark moved houses with his uncle, Billie Fifer. He built the Kellerton city hall and fire station. He was a contractor for Butler-Cohen in Texas and did construction jobs on his own. His time was spent between Kellerton and Texas with job sites in between; but Kellerton was always home. His dream home was realized with his cabin near Kellerton. Mark’s daughter, Harlee, moved to Texas after she graduated from high school and lived with him up to the present day to help take care of him. Probably his most remembered saying when asked how he was doing was, “I’ve never had a bad day!”
Mark’s health turned suddenly, and he spent several days at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, where he passed away on September 2, 2019, with family by his side. He was preceded in death by his dad, Mike Comer; grandparents, Fred and Edna Comer; grandmother, Opal Smith; an uncle, Billie Fifer; and aunts, Ruby Newton and Lorretta Reynolds.
Those left to cherish and share his memory include his children, Harlee Comer of Kellerton, IA, Jeff Brown of Lake Havasu, AZ, Gage Comer of Kellerton, IA, Cassie (Ryan) Noble of Kellerton, IA, Leslie Snedeker (James Coulthard) of Ankeny, IA; several grandchildren; mother, Kathy (Randy) Johnston of Kellerton, IA; sister, Kim (Jim) Monroe of Lake Havasu, AZ; grandparents, Bill and Rosa Fifer of Waukee, IA; uncle, Roy (Tammy) Fifer of Kellerton, IA; half siblings, Rick Comer of Lake Havasu, AZ, Pam Patton of Montesano, WA, Penny LauRae of Lake Havasu, AZ; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many good friends. A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided later.
Services were at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2019 at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, IA.
Officiating was Pastor Bill Armstrong.
Special songs were “Even Though I’m Leaving”, “He Stopped Loving Her Today”, “Love Without End, Amen”, “I’ll Fly Away” and “I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You”.
Casketbearers were Jeff Brown, Roy Fifer, Keaton White, Klayton Yoder, Joel Monroe, Dylan Monroe and Jim Monroe.
Honorary casketbearers were Randy Johnston, Javier Gonzalez, Sean Butler and Eric Cohen.
Burial was at the Maple Row Cemetery in Kellerton, IA.
