MARK SHEETZ

Mark Sheetz, age 50, of Lemont and Elburn, formerly of Rockford, peacefully passed away at home, surrounded with love following a nearly 3-year fierce battle with colon cancer, Sunday, April 23, 2023. His body may have broken, but his warrior spirit lives on in the halls of Heaven.

He was born March 13, 1973, in Park Ridge, IL, to loving parents Mike and Kathy Sheetz.

Mark grew up in Rockford and attended local schools. He graduated from Rockford East High School with the class of 1991.

He continued his education and graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1997.

He was united in marriage to Jennifer (Gename) Sheetz and they were blessed with three daughters, Brenna, Camille and Alexa. Although they parted ways, Mark was fortunate when he met his forever love, Heather Gricus.  They welcomed a son, Edward “Eddie” who made the family complete. They began their new life together in Lemont for a time before finding a home in Homer Glen. After a few years they settled back in Lemont for the added comfort and support of Heather’s loving family.

Mark worked as a recruiter for over 20 years, predominantly in the IT industry.  His strong work ethic and unparalleled social skills brought him to NTT Data (again) for his last years.  Mark was proud to work for an amazing team and very grateful for their unwavering support.

Growing up, Mark had a passion and gift for playing soccer.  His dad helped coach him for a while and years later, Mark helped coach his sister’s soccer team and eventually he coached his own kids’ teams.  He loved breakdancing and hip-hop music and while he outgrew the dancing part, his love for all music was with him for the rest of his life. 

His music passion was really solidified when he was introduced to heavy metal music.  He became an amazing, self-taught guitarist.  In high school he and his friends started a metal band named “Shattered Sanity”.   Years later, he and his close friends started another metal band, “Patchwork” which went on to create a full professional album on an independent record label.

Mark was a diehard Metallica fan and together with his best friend/brother Brad Carlson, saw almost 200 Metallica shows together throughout the country.  He was so proud to pass his love for concerts and live music onto his daughters.  He would learn all their favorite artists’ music and made sure to take them to see them live when possible. 

After college, he began his career and took great pride in the success and many friends/relationships he made in his professional life.  His favorite title of all was, Dad.  He was the ultimate girl dad to Brenna, Camille, and Alexa.  He took them on nighttime road trips to the city just to talk and listen to music.  He took them on road trips to both coasts and many other vacations together.  He supported whatever sports/hobbies they were into, loved performing in their church’s band to help support their attendance (and perfect his guitar skills), knew and loved their friends, and would jump at any chance to just hang out and talk with them.  When he added the “boy dad” title to his life, he continued the path of being the ultimate dad.  He took Eddie to arcades, pumpkin patches, movies, museums, countless parks, zoos, and any other fun place Mark could find. 

Mark was a big White Sox, Bulls, Bears, and Notre Dame fan.  He was extremely loyal, could do an amazing Kermit the Frog impression, had THE best sense of humor, and was the warmest, most comforting listener and friend to so many people.  He was extremely social and was usually the first to arrive and often the last to leave any social gathering, be it neighborhood bonfires/parties, concerts, bartending, or many family gatherings.

He was immensely blessed when he met his partner and mother of his son, Heather Gricus and her loving, and compassionate family.  He loved being a grandpa to Hazel and had already begun spoiling her.  He found great joy in reminding little Eddie that he was an uncle, was very proud of the great mom Brenna is, and loved watching Camille and Alexa become aunts.

If you were lucky enough to meet Mark, you loved him.  He had a way of making you feel heard, respected, and loved.  He loved and idolized his older brother, Brian.  Brian’s passing, while devastating, became a catalyst for Mark to live his life with no regrets and focus on the important things.  He fought so bravely and is now at peace being reunited with his Grandparents, Dad, and Brother.  He will be missed beyond words.

He regretfully leaves the love of his life, Heather; 4 children: Brenna (Martin) Jakimavicius and her daughter, Hazel; Camille Sheetz, Alexa Sheetz and Edward “Eddie” Sheetz; his mother, Kathy (Butch) Goins; one sister, Karen (Will) Ludeman; several nieces and nephews, Heather’s parents, Peggy and Ed Gricus and the rest of her loving family; his best friend/brother Brad Carlson (Kimberly) of over 35 years; and countless close friends.

Mark has reunited with his father, Mike Sheetz; one brother, Brian Sheetz; one nephew, Ryan Sheetz, his maternal grandparents, Wayne and Eunice Scheuneman, paternal grandparents, Paul and Peggy Sheetz.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, from 3-7 p.m. A funeral to celebrate his life will begin at 11 a.m., Monday, May 1, 2023, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 40W605 IL Route 38 Elburn, IL 60119. Interment will commence at 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Memorial Estates, Lemont, IL.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Mark’s name. Checks may be made to the “Mark D. Sheetz Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page.