Mark A La Cross

Mark Anthony LaCross, age 69, passed away unexpectedly due to health complications on August 8th, 2025, in Petoskey Michigan. He was born on November 10th, 1955, in Cheboygan Michigan to Charles E and Genevieve M (Hudak) LaCross and was the youngest of 5 siblings.  Mark attended Cheboygan Catholic High School where he graduated in 1973.  While attending Catholic grade school he was also active as an altar boy.  

From a young boy, Mark loved to work in his father’s garage building things out of wood, tinkering with all the tools and going out on jobs with his father Charles.  After high school graduation, Mark went to work with his father as a skilled handyman in home repair, carpentry, garage door repair & installation, and lawn care.  After the passing of his father, Mark continued with the business he and his father created as the Garage Door Specialist. 

Mark married Deborah Vallance on January 12th, 1974, and they had 4 daughters: Crystal Buchner, Pamela Viau, Denise Hibbler, & Angel Manning.  Years later Mark fell in love with Diane Swenor and got married on February 14th, 2012, in Las Vegas NV and honeymooned in Hawaii.  Diane was the love of his life, and they enjoyed planting flowers together, camping, and riding 4 wheelers.  In 2015 they purchased a piece of property in Vanderbilt Mi where they set up a camper and spent many summer weekends together making lots of memories.  Mark is and always will live on in Diane's heart & will be missed dearly.

Along with his parents, Mark was preceded in death by his sister DyAnn Chambers and brother Michael LaCross, nephews Scott Maurer, Jimmy Chambers, niece Kayleigh Chambers, and grandchild Dylan Harley.

Mark is survived by his wife Diane LaCross and former wife Deborah Millmine of Cheboygan Mi.

4 daughters; Crystal Buchner of Grand Rapids Mi, Pamela Viau of Cheboygan Mi, Denise (Joe) Hibbler of Alanson Mi, & Angel Manning of Cheboygan Mi, 2 stepdaughters Lena (Randy) Staffield of Afton Mi, & Alicia Swenor of Cheboygan Mi. 

8 grandchildren; Anna LaCross, Hailey (Barry) Hopkinson, Mariah (Jordan) Gronda, Marcina Harley, Sandra Manning all of Cheboygan Mi, Kady LaVigne of Lansing Mi, Jenica (Lawrence) Beamer and Keeley Buchner of Cedar Springs Mi. 4 step-grandchildren; Kya Swenor & Skylar Swenor of Cheboygan Mi, Yazmyn Staffield of Chicago Il, & Bella Staffield of Afton Mi, 

11 great grandchildren; Justin Gronda, Connor Gronda, Josiah Gronda, Alaina Gronda, Ryker Dixon, Rylee Dixon, Trinity Gouine, Miami Gouine, Maddison Hopkinson, Bella Hopkinson, Max Hopkinson all of Cheboygan Mi.

Mark is also survived by his sister RoseMary (Dave) Maurer of Bay City Mi, brother Pat (Sally) LaCross of Cheboygan Mi and several nieces and nephews.  

There will be family visitation at Nordman-Christian Funeral home on August 14th, 2025, from 2:00PM to 3:00PM

The family will be receiving the public for visitation from 3:00PM to 4:00PM.

Service will begin at 4:00PM with Diane Myers Officiating.

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