Obituary of Mark Basil Wilenski

Mark B. Wilenski, 79, of Niles passed away on Monday, May 9, 2022, at the Timbers of Cass County. On June 14, 1942, Mark was born in Warsaw, Poland, to the late Alexander and Helen (Starzyck) Wilenski. Mark began his life journey in Poland toward the end of the second world war. As a child, Mark went through the process of coming over to America during one of the toughest times in Polish history. He shared vivid memories of his experiences as a child and his new life in America with his friends and family, and his Polish heritage was something he never lost sight of. Mark was always a very intelligent individual and was a man that understood the way numbers worked, which kicked off his very successful career in business. Mark was able to learn a lot from his father, Alexander when it came to business as he was an international businessman. Mark graduated with a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Purdue, an achievement that he was extremely proud of. He wasn’t always a man of many words, but what he did say always had significance and meaning. He told the truth even if it was hard and as a result, he was able to help several large companies save a significant amount of money, as well as building an honest relationship with his friends and family. He was a man that kept things consistent and that was something we can all appreciate in a person. He was a man of simple pleasures, he enjoyed cuisine from his motherland such as perogies, polish sausage, and sauerkraut, he loved to read, and he enjoyed the quality time that he had with each of his family members. He took excellent care of his parents in their old age and also had opportunities to take them to Florida and Hawaii. Florida was one of his favorite vacation spots as he would take his family there on vacation throughout the years. He also had a special place in his heart for Springfield, Ohio, where he would go to visit his only granddaughter, Elizabeth. At times when he could visit his only granddaughter, Elizabeth, he would share stories and family history. He was notorious for his dry sense of humor, something that was either laughed at or misunderstood. Mark was an honest, hardworking man who lived through hardship and made the most out of it. He will be sorely missed by his friends, family, and loved ones. Preceding Mark in death is both of his parents, Alexander and Helen Wilenski; his daughter, Kris O’Brien; and his brother, George Wilenski. Mark is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years, Sandra Wilenski of Niles; two of his children, Andrew Wilenski of Meadview, Arizona, and Kim (Cory) Ayers of Spring Hill, Tennessee; granddaughter, Elizabeth Wright of Springfield, Ohio; and his sister, Mary (Rick) Miller of Linn Creek, Missouri. A funeral service for Mark will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Elkhart, Indiana on Monday, May 16, 2022, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. and services beginning at 11:00. Directly after the service, the family invites friends and family to the luncheon that will be held at the church. Burial will take place at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens right after lunch. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Elkhart, or the 525 Foundation (1400 E. Angela Blvd #146, South Bend, Indiana, 46617). Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.