Jack B. Van Mark

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TORRINGTON – Funeral services for Jack B. Van Mark, 90, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, at North Hills Baptist Church in Lingle with Pastor David Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery in Torrington. Jack died Dec. 23, 2020, in the family home where he was born south of Torrington. Memorials may be given to Valley Christian School. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home, and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com.

Jack was born July 4, 1930, to Willie and Fern (Hill) Van Mark. He graduated from Torrington High School in 1948. He attended two years at Eastern Wyoming Community College and then was drafted into the military during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed for two years at Camp Roberts in California. Once honorably discharged from the military, he returned home and married Hanna June Benzel of Huntley. The newlyweds moved to Laramie, where Jack attended the University of Wyoming and majored in Geology.

Jack and Hanna had four daughters, Lois Ann Van Mark, Ruth Hanna Van Mark, Debra June Wendtland (Anthony T. Wendtland) and Jacklyn Kay Van Mark. Jack was a Wyoming House Member for Goshen County from 1961 to 1965. Between 1972 and 1990, he held various positions with the federal government, which caused the family to split their time between Wyoming and the Washington D.C. area. In 1990, he retired from federal employment and moved back to the farm for good. Of his many accomplishments, he was most proud of his two grandchildren; Kit Jackson Wendtland and Taylor Charles Wendtland.

Jack was active in his church, the Republican Party and various agricultural organizations. He remained a committed supporter of Valley Christian School.

Jack is survived by his four daughters and two grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hanna and a sister Nora Pittman.