Mark Richard ‘Moose’ Venable, 55, of Jackson, unexpectedly passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
He was born August 1, 1965, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Charles and Linda Hilborn Venable. He and Janet Payne were married April 30, 2011.
Mark was a 1983 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School. He was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps., serving honorably from April 16, 1984 to December 30, 1997. He served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Okinawa, Japan and Turkey. Many people probably had no idea that Mark served in the Marines because he was a humble, “gentle giant” always willing to help folks.
After his military service, Moose worked nine years for Dutch Enterprises in Jackson, commuting four years from Poplar Bluff to Jackson. In 2007, he became employed with the City of Jackson, first working in the Water Department and transferring to cemetery maintenance in January, 2017. He will be missed by a host of friends, including the morning coffee drinkers at the American Legion Hall.
Other things he enjoyed doing included going to the ocean, fishing, hunting, camping and listening to AC/DC. Until recently, Moose kept a bountiful garden, often sharing his produce and canning it. He especially liked to make and can salsa.
Mark attended Connection Point Church in Jackson.
Loving survivors include his wife of almost 10 years, Janet Venable of Jackson; three children, Stephanie (Brandon) Dietiker, Zachary Payne and Travis Payne, all of Jackson; two grandchildren, Abby and Kirstin; six siblings, Kimberly (Stephen) Burridge of Boonville, Missouri, Jeffery (Cary) Venable of Boonville, Terry Venable of Jackson; Chadd (Amy) Venable, Charla Keele, and Travis (Kelli) Venable all of Poplar Bluff and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Linda Venable.
Visitation is from 3 p.m. to service time, Monday, April 26 at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The Rev. Chis Vaught will officiate the funeral service at 6 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home. Military honors will follow the funeral ceremony.
At a later date, the family will privately gather to inurn Moose’s cremated remains in the new niche columbarium at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.
Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com, navigating to Moose’s personal obituary page and clicking on the tribute wall tab.