Mark Jason Church

Mark Jason Church, 50, of Des Moines, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 2, 2020, at his home.

Mark, the son of Bobbe (Roberta) Church, was born Sept. 20, 1969, in Newton. He attended Newton High School and later obtained his GED. He worked various jobs which included carpentry, roofing, brick masonry, carpet and tile laying and as a cook. He competed in powerlifting competitions and set new records for his weight class in Iowa. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, was an excellent cook and a talented artist. He also loved heavy metal and rock music and was an avid football, baseball and hockey fan.

Mark is survived by his mother, Bobbe Church of Newton; son, Jacob Arrowood of Newton, and daughter, Emily Shirk of Grinnell; his sister, Susan Yager (Patrick Fouts) of Chippewa Falls, Wis.; and brother, Eric Hawthorne of Newton; and his many uncles, aunts and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents, C. Robert and Lucile Church.