Mark William Prodger

Well done my good and faithful servant

Surely Mark heard those words spoken by his Holy Father this week. After a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, on November 4th 2019, at the age of 60, Mark William Prodger, passed peacefully in his sleep.

He is survived by his loving mother, Doreen (Bland) Prodger; his wife of 31 years, Dorothy “Dodie” (Maynard) Prodger; son, Matthew William Prodger; siblings, Dwight (Joyce) Prodger and Lee-Ann (Reid) Hodgson; and nieces and nephews, Brandon, Benjamin, Leah, Joshua, Stephanie and Trevor.  Mark is also survived by his sister-in-law, Wendy (Dale) Jeske and their children, Alexandra, Ian and Hayley; sister-in-law, Jacquie (Andrew) Wintrup and their daughter, Natalie; and brother-in-law, Doug (Deborah) Maynard and their sons, Phil, Dan, Bradley and Zachary.

Mark was born June 26th, 1959 in St. Catharines Ontario, Canada. His life was full speed from the moment he was born, barely making it to the hospital. He loved his family, adored his Mom and Dad, he couldn’t do enough for people. Mark enjoyed sports of any kind, he enjoyed playing the piano and making music, and Mark loved the theater and being a show man. He sang with his Dad in the choir, and sang well. He loved baseball, hockey-of course (he is Canadian), he loved rowing in high school, played football and loved to waterski and snow ski, and windsurf and of course...Golf. Mark loved golf! He loved everything about golf, especially the many great friends he met and loved along his life long journey.

His talents would take him far, all weaving him into a man of deep faith, a loving husband, devoted father, adoring son, faithful and loving brother, uncle, and a committed and loyal friend to many.

He had a heart for being a mentor, and leader and challenged all of us to another level in our personal journeys we call life.

He earned his business degree at Wilfred Laurier University in Ontario. Full speed again, he was named, Rookie of the year in Medical Sales... that started his career with Johnson and Johnson Canada. He was whisked away from home to Vancouver where his success in Sales and Marketing promoted him to a new life as Director of Marketing in sunny California. Days before he was to leave his homeland, he met and fell in love with his HonBun. In true form, all of this was whirlwind. Mark and Dodie were married the following year in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1988.

Marks successes were numerous with Iolab Corporation and J&J Ophthalmology. That division was sold in the new era of business mergers and acquisitions. Birmingham Alabama became his new home with Atrion Medical. Mark and Dodie loved the warmth of the people in Bama.

They grew in their faith there, and were baptized together in 1997. Their greatest joy, finally, was the blessing of Mark and Dodie’s son, Matthew William, in July of 1998. Sadly, Atrion was sold and his desire to get back closer to family was on. His search took his family to Zimmer Orthopedic’s in Northern Indiana. So many adventures, so many wonderful people and friends, so many golf courses.

Mark’s continued business success brought him to Indianapolis in 2003. He settled in Carmel where he rooted his family in close friendships and fellowships. He loved being a part of Guidant Corporation in Cardiovascular Marketing. As Guidant was sold, Mark’s last business venture was with Covance Research Organization as Global Marketing Director, where he built and developed the Marketing Department.

Mark loved being involved in his church, Northview, and was very committed in the children’s program. He loved to volunteer and was always the first to put up his hand, offer a hand and lend a hand up to any one in need. He strove not just to mentor all the people in his life but challenged himself to improve on how he mentored. Mark always wanted to learn more about God’s desires for us all. Mark was always in his home office, working on something and dreaming of ways to make things better for those in his life. Mark led his family to join the “life group” As it turns out... they were a “life line”. A small group of truly amazing people who are genuine in their friendship and fellowship.  They all grew spiritually together, and watched their children grow up together over the past 15 or more years. The group loved, supported, counseled, cried, celebrated and now mourn together. They are family away from family. The Life group sustained Matthew and Dodie and Mark in every way possible. Well done good and faithful friends.

His greatest mentoring was as a dad to Matthew. He loved to coach Matthew as a young boy in Tai kwon-do, working together to their Black belt for Matthew.  Injuries sidelined Mark at recommended black belt. Mark was Matthew’s Cub Scout leader, and co builder with Matthew of the winning “Pinewood Derby” car. Mark loved that time with Matthew. He was a devoted father to Matthew coaching him in life skills and modeling all his own life as a “child of God”. A spiritual leader in his home, workplace and to all he knew.

His faith would grow deeper, and he leaned in to God when he was diagnosed in 2012 with Parkinson’s disease. He trusted and believed in God’s plan. Mark was a “Rock”. He had known for a while something was not right with the onset of a tremor in his baby finger back in 2008. In true fashion for Mark, he put on the whole armour of God, and went to battle. The day after he was diagnosed he went directly to Rock Steady Boxing - armed with the commitment to pummel Parkinson’s. High intensity aerobic exercise is impactful on slowing progression of the disease and maintaining range of motion for those in this life battle. He again mentored his fellow Boxers and encouraged them and himself in years of physically pushing back against Parkinson’s. He became a member on the Board of Directors for Rock Steady Boxing and was a part of the now World Wide Rock Steady Boxing Inc.

Rock Steady Boxing was a very important part of Mark’s journey in what he believed would conquer this foe. His friendships at RSB sustained him and encouraged him, and he in return, gave back to them. His coaches and leaders at RSB were instrumental in Mark’s battle to “beat back” Parkinson’s.

In lieu of flowers, Mark and his family request memorial contributions to Rock Steady Boxing Inc., 7440 N Shadeland Avenue, Ste 202, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Mark has many friends in many cities, consider a local Rock Steady Boxing location.

Arrangements entrusted to A.R.N. Funeral & Cremation Services. Friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.arnmortuary.com.

Mark will always be remember as the one who would “light up a room”.  You could always hear his laugh, always hear him whistling, always there for you, always encouraging. He loved life.

He loved golf and all his dear golf buddies. He loved to keep his lawn better than the neighbors across the street. He loved to entertain - play the piano for you, sing and dance, and always be the character in the room, with crazy antics like napkin rings in his eyes at the Christmas table, or chocolate money in his eyes like they were spectacles. Always “playing the fool”. He was funny, and made you laugh with Monty Python impressions that he had down to precision, and impressions of Scooby Doo and Yogi Bear. He made us all laugh. He loved to have “Mom’s baking” and would fight you for the last butter tart. He loved his Mom and Dad so much. He loved to play games around a table with close friends and family, and share a glass of wine or two. We all laughed and loved with him. He will be deeply missed.

Mark loved his family. He never turned down an opportunity to “be there”.

Mark will always be remembered as Uncle Mark, Uncle Sparky, Uncle Hunk, Stomp Rocket Champ, Go- Kart King, pillow fight instigator, bottle cap flipping, Little Brother and Big Brother and fun loving, highly competitive man who adored his family especially his nieces and nephews.

Mark, all your little sayings are in my heart forever, so many to mention, but this one for sure...

“Never mind the weather... as long as we’re together” ~Your loving HonBun

A memorial service will be held at Northview Church Westfield Campus, 1191 West 186th Street, Westfield, IN 46074 on Friday November 8th at 5:30 PM. Friends are welcome to visit from 3:30 PM until the time of service.