Mark Bradley Spiess

How do you sum up someone’s life? How do I sum up my husband’s life? I could start by saying he was born on July 18, 1970, to Calvin and Patricia Spiess. The brother of Greg (Shawn) Spiess. Mark worked for the City of Napoleon for 24 years in the Engineering Department and then for a year with the Henry County Engineers Office. That he was a volunteer firefighter and EMT with Napoleon Fire and Rescue for 12 years, was a member and served as an elder at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon, belonged to the American Legion Post 454 in Ridgeville Ohio, served as a board member for Pillars of Success, and the Henry County Democratic Party. I could tell you that he was a Henry County Relay for Life participant and a 5-year survivor of Stage IV brain cancer (he did it!). I could say all of that but to me, his wife (Lisa) of 31 years, his daughter Taylor (Gabe) Catlin, his son Scott Spiess and to all of his family on the Spiess, Glore and Bost (in-law) side that he loved so much he was and will always be so much more. Mark was a big man with a big heart though he never saw himself that way. I attribute his fierceness for family and doing what is right to his parents, they raised a great man. He was always there to support you through the good times and the not so good times. He was my rock. Mark gave the best hugs! If you were lucky enough to receive one you know. His long arms wrapped around you, and you just felt safe. Mark loved his family and his friends and would do anything he could for them. He always said, “I do not know how to do a lot of things like construction, farming, welding things of that nature but I can show up and I can do my best to be of service.” That he did. Whether it was running to pick up your kid because you weren’t able, helping to plan the ultimate camping weekend, pitching in to put hay in the loft, corral the loose cows, tend to you when you were sick, pack a cooler, make a great music playlist or just sit and enjoy a campfire with a beverage and good conversation with you. Mark was present. Mark taught the kids and I many things, one of the greatest being to laugh. He had such quick wit and when he got in a good joke or phrase, he had this side grin that just caught you and couldn’t help but smile and laugh with him. Even when he did something to test my patience, he would give me that side grin and I would just shake my head and smile and laugh with him. He was an avid lover of movies and music. You did not want to go against him in movie or music trivia, and he made sure that our kids were “cultured” in all of the classics, especially from the 80’s. He loved food: pizza, chili dogs, my lasagna, you name it. He liked to cook and smoke some meat in the smoker. In his last few months, we had to watch all the food shows like Man Verses Food, Food Adventures…. all things food. He would tell me all the restaurants that he wanted us to try or the recipes we should test out. Mark felt his greatest accomplishment in life was his family. His family was his world, whether that was his family by blood, by friendship or by faith. He fought fiercely to be with us for as long as he could giving “maximum effort” to regain his health and abilities. When he was no longer able to work, he felt lost, but we assured him the only job that really mattered was being with his family and he did such a good job. Mark made his mark here with all of us and was called to his heavenly home with his family by his side on August 27, 2025. Mark, myself, and all our family wanted to be sure to thank everyone that helped and supported us while on his journey. All the doctors, nurses, aides, and therapists, church, family, friends and everyone that God put on our path. We have been so blessed. Mark also wanted to remind everyone to find joy in all the little things and make every day a good day. The funeral service of Mark Spiess will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 2nd at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon. The family asks that in lieu of flowers you donate to one of his selected charities or do something in honor of paying it forward. Memorial contributions can be sent to Pillars of Success, Henry County Relay for Life C/O Kathy Vollmar, St. Paul Lutheran Church Napoleon, The Mauer Family Cancer Center in Bowling Green, Bridge Hospice of Findlay or Northwest State Community College Foundation Changing Lives Scholarship. Friends and family may leave condolences online at www.rodenbergergray.com.

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Mark Bradley Spiess

July 18, 1970 - August 27, 2025