Mark Eugene Babinec, 78, of Hart, passed away Monday, September 8, 2025, in the home of his loving son and daughter-in-law.
Mark was born July 5, 1947, in Shelby, the son of Edward and Lawain (Near) Babinec. He grew up in Shelby, where he attended Carpenter Country School and enjoyed the coveted middle spot among his seven loving brothers and sisters. After graduating from Shelby High School in 1965, he attended Western Michigan University to study social work and loved to joke that he spent a lot of time learning guitar. During the Vietnam War, he counseled struggling Vietnam veterans who had returned stateside.
Mark married Nancy Huntoon on February 6, 1971. They lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for two years during Mark’s military service and came back to Michigan to live in Wayland before settling in the Hart area in 1975.
Mark worked for 25 years as a protective service agent for the Family Independence Agency, followed by another 10 years with Oceana Friend of the Court. Ever the counselor, scores of his friends and family members attest to his ability to listen carefully and offer fitting advice. Mark was a wonderful friend and did not know a stranger: he learned names and remembered them. He adored his grandchildren and spent hours in his pool on East Main Street with them as well as at his grandsons’ hockey games and sporting events. He loved to sing and play the guitar, as well as ride his bike on the rail trail. After his beloved wife Nan became wheelchair bound, he was her dedicated and doting caregiver. Mark played in a golf league two nights a week with dear friends and his brothers, and also shot pool in a league for years. A beloved and respected member of the Oceana Eagles Club, he cherished his visits with his fellow club members and sorely missed them during his long illness.
Mark is survived by: his children, Anna (Mark) Wassa, Benjamin (Nikki) Babinec, and Lindsey Franz; grandchildren, Ben Wassa, Max Wassa, Niko Babinec, Crew Babinec, Vivian Franz, Stella Franz and Hazel Franz; siblings, Mike (Sue) Babinec, Judie (Mike) McGovern, Sandy (Lee) Ingalls, Kathleen (Scott) Brown, Barb (Steve) Kartes, Gary (Brenda) Babinec and Greg (Etsuko) Babinec.
Mark was preceded in death by: his wife, Nancy Babinec; parents, Edward and Lawain Babinec; granddaughter, Cecelia Babinec; brother-in-law, Lee Ingalls II; nephew, Lee Ingalls III; and great-nephew, Tad Siuda.
Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m., Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, MI 49455, with military honors. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the time of services at 3 p.m. at Harris Funeral Home. A celebration of Mark’s life will follow the service at 4:30 p.m. at the Oceana Eagles Club, 4535 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420.
Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.
www.harrisfhome.com
