Mark C. Pleune, 67, of Suttons Bay, Mich., died peacefully on Saturday, April 21 at the Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, Mich., with his family by his side.
Mark was born to Mark C. and Rosemary (Smith) Pleune Dec. 14, 1944 in Miami Beach, Fla. He moved to East Grand Rapids, Mich. with his parents in 1946, following his father’s service in WWII. He was raised in East Grand Rapids, graduating from EGR High School in 1963, and then studied mechanics at Ferris State University. During his high school and college years, Mark loved building vehicles of all types, and was always working on cars, motorcycles, ice boats, model planes and all kinds of small engines.
He began his working career in Grand Rapids, Mich. With Lear Siegler and then Herman Miller of Zeeland, Mich. In 1979, Mark moved to Suttons Bay to pursue his dream of creating his own small business – Fox Farm Repairs.
Mark devoted the next 30-plus years to building and repairing boats and vehicles of all types, and all forms of small engines and mechanical systems. It was here he developed a reputation throughout the Leelanau Peninsula as the “go to person for mechanical repairs.” Mark so enjoyed working at his Fox Farm Shop, along with the many other businesses housed in the Fourth Street Shop. This entire group at the shop share their talents, equipment and ideas in assisting one another with major projects, and Mark was a critical component to this system. During much of this period, Mark also worked for Normic Industries in Traverse City, where his mechanical skills were instrumental in developing improved manufacturing techniques.
Mark loved the Great Lakes and sailed them as often as he could.
His love for the outdoors led to his being an early supporter of the Leelanau Trail. Over the years he donated countless hours to maintaining and grooming the trail in the winter months for the cross-country skiers.
Mark is survived by his son, Jeffrey, and his wife, Carol, and their two children, Mitchell and Madeline, of Rochester Hills, Mich.; and his son, Andrew, and his wife, Patricia, of Portland, Ore. Mark is also survived by his mother, Rosemary Pleune of Tryon, and his brother, Scott, and his wife, Gay, of Mill Spring.
He was preceded in death by his father, Mark Sr.
A memorial service will be held in Suttons Bay on Saturday, June 23.
Memorials may be made to the Leelanau Trail or to the Munson Hospice House of Traverse City, Mich.