Tributes

Mark E. Lewis, age 83, passed away September 30, 2025, at Grand Strand Medical Center. He was born January 3, 1942, in Hoisington, Kansas, a son of the late John Henry & Sigrid Kristiansen Lewis. Mark was raised in Great Bend, KS, and graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, a Catholic boarding school for boys. After graduation, he went on to attend Marquette University where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history. In 1965, he met the love of his life, Donna Montanez and they were married on March 19, 1966. Mark was proud to serve his country in both the Army National Guard and later on in the Army Reserves. He worked at several different manufacturing companies over the span of his career, starting out on a beverage bottling line and later advanced into a career in Human Resources. His career began in Wisconsin where he worked for Schlitz Brewery and was later transferred to their new brewery in North Carolina. He then worked for Hatteras Yacht Co. in North Carolina and the Masonite Corporation in Pennsylvania. He eventually worked as the Human Resource Director and Vice President for Operations and Director at the Great Western & Taylor Wine Company in Hammondsport, New York. In 1996, he and Donna moved to Myrtle Beach where Mark opened a successful recruitment franchise of Management Recruiters International from which he retired in 2016. In his free time, Mark had an almost inexhaustible list of hobbies and interests which included gardening, beekeeping, golf, coins, stamps, sharp-shooting, anything with nature or animals and birds, grilling, politics, shopping at Lowe’s, and bridge. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was always ready to go on another adventure or travel with his family. Mark’s deep Catholic faith was the cornerstone of his life, providing him with guidance, strength, and a deep sense of purpose. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by sons, Mark Eric and Robert Brian; and his sister, Catherine. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna Lewis; daughter, Christine Hunkins and her husband, retired Col.Thad Hunkins; grandchildren, Mark Hunkins, Gregory Hunkins, and Sarah Hunkins; one great grandson, Dean; and his siblings: Dr. James Lewis, Sister Isabel Lewis, and Maurice Lewis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 10, 2025, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with inurnment to follow at the church columbarium. It will also be live-streamed beginning at 9:50 at www.saintmichaelsc.net under the name FUNERAL – MARK LEWIS. Instructions for viewing are located at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uBY2tIGJ-8dGs6__h6oPq8pZR1HbJh-Q/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117948253578052841973&rtpof=true&sd=true In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel, is serving the family.

Tributes

Mark E. Lewis

January 3, 1942 - September 30, 2025