Mark Ham

Mark Steven Ham, age 47 years formerly of Niles, Michigan died on Monday morning, May 25, Memorial Day 2015 at his home in Harvest, Alabama unexpectedly.

He was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1967 in Niles to Charles E. and Shirley (Gibbs) Ham – now Shirley Longwell. He was graduated from Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Maryland and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

As a Marine, Mark first served in The Philippines, and then in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He was well decorated, including the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with an additional service star, and the Combat Action Ribbon. After six years of active duty, he was discharged to the Marines Reserve as a Sergeant.

Mark continued to serve his country as an Information Assurance/Cyber Security Specialist for the Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, Alabama. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, river rafting, race cars, military movies, video gaming, and his cat, “Casey”.

Surviving family includes his parents, Shirley Longwell of Huntsville and Charles Ham of Niles; a half-sister, Carla (& Patrick) Franke of Waging am See, Germany; step-sisters Annette (& Scott) Dixon of San Angelo, Texas and Denise (& Dave) Halgren of Niles and their mother, Wanda Layman of Kimmell, Indiana; Mark’s aunts and uncles, Sally McConnell of South Bend, Indiana, Claire Ann (& Tom) Wiggins, Richard (& Patricia) Ham, Lanny Ham, all of Niles, and Derek Gibbs of Great Britain; a cousin Judy (White) Buck of Niles; a nephew and nieces, Jonas and Jolie Franke, Kailey and Ashley Roberts, and Megan and Macey Halgren; and a circle of wonderful friends including Ray Rickard and Sherry Floyd.

The memorial service for Mark Ham will be at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Dan Miller of the Summit Church in Niles officiating. The service will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and the American Legion.

Contributions in memory of Mark Ham may be made to Forgotten Man Ministries, Summit Church of Niles, or to Lest We Forget of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

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