Mark Alan VanHyfte

Mark Alan VanHyfte, 58, of Annawan, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory-Atkinson Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the funeral home with Rev. Terry Lancaster officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Mark VanHyfte Memorial Fund.

Mark was born on January 24, 1966, in Kewanee, Illinois, to James and Carole (Jones) VanHyfte. He was a 1984 graduate of Annawan High School and graduated from Illinois State University in 1988. After college Mark proudly enlisted in the Illinois National Guard, where he served for 4 years. He married Erica Franklin on September 12, 2023, and she survives. Mark made his profession in the agricultural industry and was most recently employed by John Deere, a job he loved and was very proud of. Mark lived life to the fullest and was always ready for an adventure. He enjoyed Civil War history, cards with friends, and time spent with family.  Mark was full of mischief and loved a good joke or prank but had a heart of gold. He loved to make people smile and laugh with his antics. He was most excited with his newest role as Grandpa to Lincoln Wade Schoen.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Erica, mother, Carole Stern of Geneseo, IL; daughters, Valerie VanHyfte of Kewanee, Lydia (Scott) Schoen of Princeton, step-daughter Brittyn (Emilie) Klaman of St. Anne, step-son, Xander Bremer of Annawan, grandson, Lincoln Wade Schoen, sister, Heather (Jeff) Wellman of Waco, NE, nephews; Drew and Jack Wellman of Waco, NE, father-in-law, Wendell Franklin of Milford, IL, many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his beloved dogs, Gracie and Franklin.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Jim, infant brother, Paul, mother-in-law, Bonnie Franklin and his grandparents.