Mark Evans

Albers

Mark Evans Albers, son of the late Robert Lee Albers and LaVerne (Evans) Albers, was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on November 6, 1948.  He departed this life at his residence in Ellington, Missouri on September 20, 2026, at the age of 77.

Mark graduated from Bluffs High School in 1967.  He was a Vietnam War Veteran.  He served in the US Navy from 1967-1969 as a gunner's mate on the U.S.S. Boston.

Mark was enamored with fast cars.  His first car was a 1970 Corvette, which was waiting for him at the St. Louis airport when he returned home from Vietnam.  He also, at one point, owned a Ducati motorcycle and a Triumph.  He never got over the need for speed.  When family would come to visit, they had a hard time keeping up with him, especially on D Highway.

He was an excellent ball player and runner in high school.   In his early adult years, he played on a few local softball teams in the Bluffs and Winchester, Illinois area.

He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman from a young age.  He loved fishing and hunting, especially coyote, coon and deer hunting.  At one point, he had 21 coon dogs and hound dogs, as he enjoyed competition coyote hunting.  It also wasn't unusual in his younger years to capture a snake, baby skunks, and a multitude of rabbits, squirrels, doves, quail and pheasants.

He was fascinated with Indian relics and collected arrowheads.  Several in his collection came from the family farm in Scott County, Illinois where he grew up and others from Missouri.

He enjoyed being a Cub Scout and was involved in 4-H.  During that time, he developed a love for cattle and that love continued to flourish.  Later in life, Mark enjoyed taking care of his farm, tending to the land and the cattle.  His days started early and were fueled by breakfast, his morning coffee, and conversations with other community farmers and friends at local restaurants and coffee shops.   He always had a funny story to tell and enjoyed meeting with friends to challenge one another for bragging rights on who could tell the best story.  As a testament to this, he was part of "The Liars Club" established at Smalley's in Van Buren.   He is included in a collage of pictures currently hanging at Mabel's in Van Buren.

Many local people don't know his last name, but if you mention "Paint Rock Mark" or "the man that drives around in the little green truck," they immediately know who you are talking about.

In the evenings, he loved to relax and watch college football and basketball, often going back and forth between different channels so he could keep up with two or three different games.  One of the hobbies he enjoyed the most was growing tomatoes.  He would plant between 30 and 40 tomato plants each year to sell or share with others.  Everyone loved his tomatoes.  It was not uncommon for him to stop by just to drop off some tomatoes and chit chat for a few minutes.

Mark truly enjoyed his family.  His visits were short but meaningful.  His grandkids were his pride and joy, and he loved making them smile and laugh every chance he got.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jeffery Albers.

Mark is survived by his companion of 28 years, Barbara Tellez, of Ellington, Missouri; two sons:  Adam Albers and wife, Randi, of Ellington, MO and Aaron Albers and wife, Jody, of Winchester, Illinois; one sister, Jonna Herring and husband, Sam, of Winchester, Illinois; and five grandchildren: Rylie, Lane, Laurel, Rinnan and Layton.  Mark will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

There will be a Celebration of Life held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, 2-4 PM at McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, Missouri

Arrangements by McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, Missouri