Mark William Anderson

Mark William Anderson, age 37, of Battle Creek passed away unexpectedly at Bronson Battle Creek surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday evening, March 8,2022 from an undiagnosed medical condition. Mark was born on March 27, 1984 in Grand Rapids, the son of Mr. Kim Anderson and Cindy (Horner) Anderson. He grew up in Battle Creek and was a 2002 graduate of Lakeview High School. Mark attended Western Michigan University, Kellogg Community College and virtually at Ohio University.

Mark was employed for almost ten years as tool and die set-up, Mark was the guy who could get the presses to run any part at Advantage Sintered Metals in Fort Custer Industrial Park and 5 plus years on the Management Team and as an industrial welder at Nexthermal in the Fort Custer Industrial Park. He enjoyed his high school summers as a lifeguard at the former Riverside Swim Club.

Mark had an amazing personality that made everyone laugh and feel comfortable with his always beaming wide smile. He would quickly become the "go to friend" for a laugh or compassion if you needed a shoulder to lean on during bad days. Mark was charismatic, funny, witty, and loved to make others feel happy. His smile and eyes that danced with enthusiasm could light up any room. Mark loved his family with his whole heart. He was everyone's buddy.

In his youth Mark loved the Outdoors including camping, Fishing, Swimming, Whitetail deer hunting, spending time at the family cabin in Baldwin, MI fishing with his dad Kim, and his younger sister Krissy Anderson. He also went to numerous athletic camps. Football Camp at MSU with coach Nick Saban, Quarterback Camp at Birmingham Brother Rice with their legendary coach, and attending University of Michigan Swim Camp ran by their head coaching staff. Mark loved playing LYA football with the Morey's coaching and supporting the players. He began swimming at the age of 7, through determination, he went from a beginner to medaling in the 8 & under YMCA state swim meet. At age 10 he was the YMCA State Champion in the 100 freestyle. He was listed on the National Top 16 (YMCA) in multiple swimming events as a 10 & 12 year old. In his youth, he would participate in the Goguac Lake Swim winning multiple age group awards. His childhood dream was to swim for the University of Michigan hoping to make the Olympic trials.

Even as a Freshman, Mark was an outstanding high school swimmer, Mark placed 7th in the 200 yard freestyle at the MHSAA State Finals, that accomplishment is now considered All-State. He contributed points to the team as part of the 1999 LHS State Runner-up in Class B for athletics. This outstanding team achieved the MHSAA Class B Champions for their academics. This team also accomplished the National Dual Meet points Champions for their talent and depth. During his Junior year, Mark received the "Most Competitive Award" and was voted Team Captain for his Senior Year.

During high school, Mark was involved in so many activities showing his "Spartan Pride" for Lakeview High School. Mark was a member of the Lakeview High School Homecoming Court as a Senior. He participated in Student Senate, a National Honor Society student, volunteering for his community for many hours because of his love for his hometown. He played football all 4 years in High School. As a freshman he played full back, quarterback, and cornerback. The team went undefeated amassing more than 3 times the points of their opponents. He was Student Athlete of the Month in his Freshman year.

Mark was an avid outdoorsman, including hunting whitetail deer with his dad, Uncle Jim, and Grandpa Roger Horner, learning to fish with his dad and Grandpa and later fishing with anyone that wanted to drop a line in the water. Thank you to all the friends that shared in his passion allowing him to fish bass tournaments. In Marks teens, his friends would camp at Lake Michigan having the times of their lives. He loved being outdoors and camping. Last summer he took a camping trip around the perimeter of all the Great Lakes in Michigan, taking incredible pictures along the way. Mark found peace being outdoors, he connected with the natural world and made sure to be a part of that world as much as possible. He even enjoyed taking country drives and enjoying all of God's world through nature. He worshipped God and His creations, through nature.

He is survived by his son, Jaxson W. Anderson of Portage, ex-wife Stephanie Buckner Anderson of Portage, loving sister Krissy (Sarah) Ughetti-Anderson of Lansing, parents Mr. Kim and Cindy Anderson of Battle Creek, Aunt Sue Bee Horner of Battle Creek, first cousin Wade (Alicia) Sutherland of Battle Creek, special "Aunts" Diane DeKoster and Cathy Novelli of Delton, Uncle Boyd (Kathy) Anderson of Wyoming, MI, great-Aunt Hannie Kuieck of Elk Rapids, cousins Scott Kuieck, Shanna (Dave) Alisha Branding, of Elk Rapids. His "brothers from a different mother" Cody (Katie) Livingston of Kalamazoo, Tyler (Leslie) King of Mattawan, Nick Mank of Georgia, Tim (Ellen) Nendorf, Blake Upston. Drew Nesbitt, Gary (Ashlee) Taylor. Neighborhood friends, Katie R., Lisa S, Kelcey, Allison, Diana P, Collin, Tiffany Wenzler-Ivany, Jim & Christy Livingston, The Price Family, The King Family.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Roger & Faye Horner, Uncle Jimmy Horner, & paternal grandparents Shanna & William Anderson.
The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 18th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where funeral services to celebrate Mark's life will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19th . The service will be Live-streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/688569492. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has set up an account for his surviving 7 year-old son, Jaxson W. Anderson. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home, or you are welcome to visit the families gofund.me page at https://gofund.me/4acb1057.

The family created a beautiful Picture Slideshow and it may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/691405983.