Mark M Bawden, 45, passed away January 12, 2016 at his home in Sterling, Utah, after a valiant fight with a brain tumor. He won many battles with it during the last 6 years and though he lost this last battle, we know he has now won the war. He was born April 13, 1970, in Huron, South Dakota to Michael Willard and Pamela Lofgran Bawden. He married Merianne Ewell in the Jordan River Temple on February 8, 1997.
Mark graduated from Manti High School. He went to BYU Jerusalem and enjoyed many trips to the Holy Land.
Mark loved the Gospel. He served an LDS mission to Arcadia, California and enjoyed serving in many other church callings throughout his life. He especially enjoyed being Scoutmaster for many years.
He worked for the Utah Department of Corrections for 18 1/2 years. He also enjoyed occasional work with the Sanpete County Sheriff's office and Centerfield City police department.
He was a professional PADI scuba diver and enjoyed diving in the waters of Belize, the Red Sea, and the Channel Islands of Southern California. He loved golf, traveling, Dutch oven cooking, collecting cookbooks, and riding horses. He loved soccer and especially being a youth soccer coach. He was an avid USC fan. He enjoyed a variety of music, including Chris Ledoux, Sammy Hagar and Jimmy Buffet. He loved the cowboy lifestyle but was really a beach bum at heart.
Mark is survived by his wife, Merianne, daughter, Jamie, and son, Justin; parents, Mike and Pam; brother, Scott (Michelle) Bawden; sisters Lisa (Mike) Wheeler and Julie (Gary) VanderToolen; and many well-loved nieces and nephews.
Mark wanted to thank all the friends and family who made his life worth living. He wants us all to remember "There are only two things in life you can change. One is your underwear and the other is your attitude. If either one goes up your butt, it's going to be a bad day."
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 18, 2016 at 12:00 noon at the Sterling Ward chapel. Viewing will be held prior to services from 10:00 - 11:30am. Burial will be in the Sterling Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com -