Mark Stephen Hastings, Jr.

Mark Stephen Hastings, Jr. was born August 17, 1990 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the son of Mark and Lisa (Devlin) Hastings. Mark started his education in Broken Arrow and moved to the Cleveland schools during the middle of the third grade. He has continued to attend Cleveland Public Schools and was a senior at the time of his death. Mark was active throughout his youth in baseball and football. He played for many years in the Cleveland Little League Football Program; often described as a ìworkhorseî young man that would do anything and play any position on the team asked by his coaches. Mark was described by his family and friends as a young man with a huge heart and a great sense of humor that enjoyed making friends and bringing people together. His toughness was often overshadowed by a sort of compassion and shyness that was exhibited in the love he displayed to those around him. Mark was extremely close to and protective of his family. He loved to spend time outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting. Mark liked all animals and spent countless hours with his two friends, Butch and Boomer, his boxers. Living in a rural area, people would often leave stray animals near his home and Mark enjoyed taking care of them including even some mice he once found. Additionally, he was an avid coin collector, video gamer and always enjoyed cooking. He was very innovative in his cooking style always trying new ways to make traditional dishes; it was said he could really make some outstanding romein noodles. He will be remembered by his family and friends for the twinkle in his eye and Elvis like smile. He was Stephís rock, Nickís best friend, Hunterís hero and Lexiís everything. Mark passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 as a result of injuries received in a single vehicle accident in rural Pawnee County, east of Hallett at the age of eighteen. He is survived by his parents, Mark and Lisa Hastings of Hominy, Oklahoma; two sisters, Stephani Brisbin and her husband, Jacob of Clarksville, Tennessee and Alexi Hastings of the home; two brothers, Nicholas Hastings and Hunter Hastings, both of the home; paternal grandparents, Gerald and Linda Eytcheson of Independence, Kansas; maternal grandparents, William and Bonnie Devlin of Independence, Kansas; and paternal great-grandmother, Rose Ellen Eytcheson of Independence, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Robert Hastings. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at the First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Dan Edens officiating. A committal service will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com