Michael Wark
Michael Wark, 61, of Marietta passed away after a short illness on Monday, January 28, 2013 in Marietta Memorial Hospital. He was born on April 3, 1951, in Marietta a son of William J. and C. Pauline Wood Wark.
Mike served in the U.S. Navy during the periods of Nov. 19, 1969 through Sept. 9, 1973 and was honorably discharged with the rank of BM-2 (E-5). He served 2 tours in Vietnam, one onboard the USS Endurance, a wooden hull mine sweeper and the 2nd tour was aboard the USS Richard S. Edwards, a destroyer. Awards included: National Defense Service Medal, RVN Service Medal, RVN Campaign Medal, Navy Combat Action Medal. Decorations included: Navy Achievement Medal with a Combat V, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Service Recognition awarded during a firefight and sinking of a NVA Trawler while serving aboard the USS Endurance.
He was a lifetime member of the Elite 115th Riverine Warfare Brown Water Navy, lifetime member of the VFW #5108, Lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans #WV32, lifetime member of the American Legion #64. He was a member of Faith Bible Church in Williamstown.
Michael is survived by 1 son, Michael J. Wark, step daughter Heather Vaughn of Phoenix; 2 brothers and 1 sister: William (Linda) Wark of Newark, James (Phyllis) Wark of Devola, Karen (Joe) Tamino of Pittsburgh, PA and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Teresa Mather.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday (Jan. 31) at 2:00 pm at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with Pastor Steve DeLay officiating with full military honors. Friends may call at the funeral home before the service from 12 until 2. Burial will be in the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton, WV. Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.mslfuneralhome.com.