Mark Stapleton, age 62, a longtime resident of Winfield, died Wednesday, September 28, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He was born October 14, 1953 in Alexandria, Virginia to George Thomas and Betty Stapleton.

Mark grew up in Villa Park and graduated from Willowbrook High School and Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. He began a career in information technology as a programmer with Unisys Corporation where he met Jodi Essey. They were married on November 24, 1990.

He was a passionate environmentalist and enjoyed backpacking. His interest and passion for social justice led him to volunteer for numerous local organizations, such as World Relief, Peoples Resource Center, PADS and others. He was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church in Wheaton.

He is survived by his wife, Jodi Essey-Stapleton, two sons, Nathan and Jeremy, two sisters, Kathy (Gerd) Renno and Kris (Ken) Gill, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Family and friends are invited to an open house at the family home in Winfield on Friday, September 30, between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 10:00 a.m. at Hope Presbyterian Church,

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Nature Conservancy or Hope Presbyterian Church .

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.