Mark Scholes

Mark Scholes, 44, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in a tragic swimming accident while on vacation with his family in Ludington, Michigan. Mark Timothy Scholes was born on July 28, 1979, to Gary H. and Carrie (Branson) Scholes in Geneva, IL. He grew up in Batavia, IL, and graduated from Batavia High School in 1997. He graduated from Aurora University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Secondary Education and a minor in Political Science and International Studies in 2001, where he graduated top of his class and received the Spartan Award. In 2011, he completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration at Iowa State University. He married the love of his life, Heidi (Fagen) Scholes, on April 10, 2002, whom he had known since middle school, where they first met in Miss Karstens’ 8th-grade social studies class. They had four children – Austin, Andrew, Aaron, and Aidan – whom he cherished and were his source of pride. Mark began his teaching career in education in 2003 in Illinois before moving to Iowa in 2006. He taught in Albia schools for seven years and was head coach of the girl’s tennis team. He then moved into administration in 2013 as assistant principal of Oskaloosa Middle School and has served as head principal for the last five years. Mark was many things to many people, but most importantly to us, he was a husband, father, son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle, and friend. Mark absolutely loved his family and found his purpose in them. He embodied the spirit of a true servant, and his breadth of involvement reached across many facets of the community. One of his favorite things was being involved with activities his children were in – helping as a team coach, as a cub scout leader, Promenade announcer, and so much more. Mark loved fishing, baseball, the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks, history, politics, traveling and writing. He loved old movies and music, Skittles, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew. His sense of humor and zest for life was contagious. Mark is survived by his wife, Heidi; his children, Austin, Andrew (fiancé – Lauren Milledge), Aaron, and Aidan; his parents, Gary H & Carrie Scholes; his father and mother-in-law, David & Patricia Fagen; his sister, Jodi (Jay) Merkel; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gretchen Fagen Nowag, Dave (Betsy) Fagen, Kirsten (Mark) Stek; his nieces, Sarah (Jake) Krouse and Megan (Braeden) Merkel; his nephews, Jakob and Ethan Stek and Kurt (Amanda) Nowag. His grandparents, Jerry & Irene Branson and Harold & Phyllis Scholes, preceded him in death, as did his beloved dogs, Izzy and Addie. In Christ, he found everlasting life, and his spirit will live on through the strength, courage, and character of his wife and sons. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa, with Rev. Fr. Joseph Phung presiding and Pastor Jon Nelson eulogizing. The service will be live-streamed at the Parish Center, the St. James Episcopal Church, and Mark Scholes Funeral (youtube.com). Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 3-7 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Oskaloosa Middle School for Media Center Advancement.

Mark Scholes

July 28, 1979 - July 9, 2024