Mark's History
Gone But Not Forgotten
Captain Lewis Mark Fant, United States Air Force Academy Class of 1964, went home to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer. He died in Rockford, IL on September 23, 1998.
Mark was born on May 27, 1942 in Evansville, IN. to Minnie Arleen and Ralph Lyle Fant of Boonville, IN. Mark came to the Academy in 1960 and was a member of the 20th Cadet Squadron all four years. There, he excelled in academics, military training and intramural athletics. He was very well liked and appreciated by his fellow Trolls.
After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Mark completed pilot training at Vance AFB, Enid, OK, and served as a T-38 instructor pilot until June 1969. After leaving the Air Force, Mark was a commercial pilot for United Airlines, most recently as an A320 captain out of Chicago. Up until the day Mark was diagnosed with cancer, he had never missed a day's work. He often said he couldn't believe he was being paid for doing something he loved so much.
Mark was an active member of Rock Church in Rockford, IL, and a member of Promise Keepers. Mark loved flying, music, skiing, boating; but most of all, his family, friends and the Lord. Mark has left an unfillable hole in the hearts of so many who knew and loved him for his wonderful “Hoosier Humor” and his impeccable integrity. We'll see you again Mark, where there are no good-byes!
Mark was survived by his wife of 34 years, the former Virginia Mills, and five children: Marcie (Robert) Brolund, Grand Rapids, MI; Stacie (Thomas) Tuttle, Rockford, IL; Mark Fant, Rockford, IL; Stephen (Holly) Fant of Baton Rouge, LA; and Merrie Ann Fant, Rockford, IL; and three grandchildren, Eric and Sara Brolund, and Zachary Tuttle. Mark was predeceased by his parents.
(By Ginnie Fant, Gone But Not Forgotten, Checkpoints, February 1999)
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