Mark A. Russell

Obituary's Biography:

Mark A. Russell, 66, a resident of Grayslake, IL, passed away May 27, 2025, at Endeavor Hospital in Evanston, IL after a short but valiant fight against esophageal cancer.  He was born May 30, 1958, in Louisville, KY to the late Allen Russell and Anna Sullenger Russell.

Mark graduated from the University of Louisville in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in History.  He spent his life around books working in several college and university libraries as well as in management at Waldenbooks which took him to the Northern Illinois area.  He was employed at Rosalind Franklin University for the past thirty-four years in various roles and currently served as the Director of Business Intelligence and Gift Administration in the Institutional Advancement office. 

Always the creative, Mark enjoyed playing guitar and keyboard, making short films, photography, reading, writing and do it yourself projects around the house.  He had a passion for watching various sports with his favorites being the Chicago Cubs and horse racing in which he enjoyed studying the stats and pedigrees of the horses. 

Mark was a kind and gentle soul and will be fondly remembered by family, friends and colleagues.

Mark is survived by his sisters Sarah (Richard) Knight and Lori (Phil) Austin, his step-mother Pat Hendrixson, his nieces and nephew Elizabeth (Jared) Pope, Lexie (Bayle) Underhill, Abbie Austin, and Clay Austin.  

A celebration of life will be held at a later date at Rosalind Franklin University.  All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.