Mark William Rowan

Mark William Rowan, 60 of Manns Choice, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017 at home.

He was born on January 25, 1957 in Harrisburg, the son of the late Chester L Rowan and Mildred Jean (Camin) Rowan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Scott R. Rowan. He was the last surviving member of his family of origin.

Mark is survived by his wife of 34 years, Debbie (Wolfhope) Rowan.

He was a 1975 graduate of Bedford High School and a 1977 graduate of Williamsport Area College.
Mark was an outstanding athlete, especially excelling at track & field, football and softball.  As a young man, he mowed lawns and trimmed Christmas Trees for Harry Beegle.  This experience allowed him to start his own business, Rowan’s Christmas Tree Farm in Manns Choice.  Mark formerly worked for Burroughs, Retail Control and then for the past 31 years for Bedford Rural Electric Co-Operative as an Engineering Technician.  He was a member of F.O.P. Lodge #57, the F&AM Lodge #320 in Bedford, the New Baltimore Sportsmen’s Club and the NRA.

Mark took great joy in helping people find their perfect Christmas tree each year.  He was an avid skier and bicyclist, participating in several Century Bike Rides.  Mark was extremely inquisitive and never met anyone that he was unable to engage in conversation and learn something from.  He enjoyed traveling and would always stop at any and all the scenic vistas on his way to take in God’s beauty.  Mark enjoyed family trips to Myrtle Beach.  He also enjoyed traveling to Chesapeake Bay and searching for shark’s teeth.

Mark was a kind and gentle person and loved his wife Deb immensely and always treated her with the utmost care and respect.  He was an animal lover, but cats held a special place in his heart.

Mark was a hardworking, good man and could on most days be found doing work on the tree farm on his Kubota Tractor.  He was always smiling, laughing and ready to tell a joke.

Mark will be dearly missed by his wife Deb, his entire Wolfhope Family and all those whose lives he touched.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 2:00 – 8:00 PM at the Louis Geisel Funeral Home in Bedford.  A Masonic Service will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 7:00 PM

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 15120, Chicago, IL, 60693 or to the Bedford County Humane Society, 1108 Lutzville Road, Everett, PA 15537.

---