Mark Thomas Kress

October 5, 1948 – August 28, 2025

Mark Kress, 76, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, died on August 28, 2025, at the Gilbert Residence.  He was born in Lansing, Michigan, on October 5, 1948, to Hedgie and Albert Kress.  Growing up, he loved playing at Scotts Woods near his childhood home on Clifton Avenue with Mike and Margie, his brother and sister.  He attended Mt. Hope Elementary School, and his family was very active in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Mt. Hope Avenue.  His grandparents were founding members of this congregation.  His life was forever changed when he was seven and was struck by a car while riding his bike.  He suffered traumatic brain injury which left him with partial paralysis and seizure episodes.  We hope Mark will be remembered for the way he faced what life brought him.  He was never bitter or felt sorry for the way his life turned out.

His family moved to Farmington, Michigan, in 1957, where he attended Farmington Junior High School and graduated from Farmington High School in 1966.  His family helped create St. John’s Lutheran Church on Gill Road and were very active in the church’s activities.  Mark became quite a bowler and was often at the bowling alley on Grand River.  He attended Ferris State University and earned his associate degree in 1968.  He worked at Allor Manufacturing in Novi, Michigan, and was employed there for 25 years.  One of his proudest achievements was the hole-in-one he got on the Independence Green Golf Course in 1999.  Quite an accomplishment for someone with left-arm paralysis!  He’s kept that trophy for all these years.

He moved to Gilbert Residence in 2010 and is one of the home’s longest residents. He had a long and special friendship with Damita Williams, the Director of Assisted Living.  He loved playing Bingo and was an avid Tiger baseball, Red Wings hockey and Michigan football fan.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Hedgie Kress, and his father, Albert Kress.  He is survived by his sister, Margaret Hamilton (Hank) and his brother, Michael Kress (Karen).  Also surviving are his nieces and nephews, Kathleen DiGiorgio (Tony), Benjamin Hamilton (Emily), Christopher Kress and Kelly Castro (Brian) and his aunt, Marjean Hefke, and his cousins, Carole Hair, Linda Lampman, Wanda Magiera, Pam Burtch, Elaine Simon and Susan Mallory.

Mark’s ashes will be interred at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Lansing, Michigan, next to the graves of his parents in a private family service.  Donations to honor Mark’s memory may be given to the Gilbert Residence by using their website or mailing your gift to Gilbert Residence, 203 South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.