OCALA, Fla. – Mark Tingley Hosea, 91, of Ocala, passed from this world and peacefully entered the Lord’s presence on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at 11:05 a.m. at Cates House Hospice of Marion County.

He was born in Robbinston, Maine, on March 28, 1931, the son of Frank and Anna (Ayer) Hosea. The family moved to Waterville, Maine, when he was 12 years old and attended Calvary Temple Church. From a young age, Mark was a talented vocalist with a passion for music. He used this gift at music festivals across Eastern Maine as a soloist, as part of a young men’s quartet, and later as a worship and song leader in church.

Mark met the love of his life, Madolyn Enid (Closson) Hosea, at Advent Christian Church in Waterville. The two married on Aug. 6, 1955, and became the proud parents of four children, Rhonda, Marcia, Mary and Joel. Together, Mark and Madolyn built a life rooted in Christ’s love and God’s Holy Word, restoring an old mansion in North Vassalboro, Maine, called the White Haven that they turned into a boarding house for seniors. The home was filled with love, music, laughter — and precisely the kind of mischief one would expect with four children.

In November 1975, Mark led his family to Ocala, where he served as the worship leader for Forest Assembly of God Church. Over the years, he was the song and worship leader in many churches across Maine and Ocala; he helped build several of these churches, too.

Mark was a skilled carpenter and mason, turning every house where he resided into a masterpiece for creative, comfortable and custom living. His favorite thing to build was a fireplace, with always at least one outdoors. His love of warm fireplaces for family fellowship reflected Mark’s personality — he was ever a source of warmth, joy and happy conversation.

At the center of his life was a genuine passion for and love of God; Mark was a diligent study of His Word, spending hours in the Bible with his worn-down copy of the Moody Bible Commentary and other reference guides nearby. With his faithful life as an example and eager willingness to answer questions, love others, and praise God in every circumstance, Mark established a legacy of Christian faith that will endure for generations in his family.

Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Madolyn, of Ocala, with whom he would have celebrated 67 years of marriage this year; his children, Rhonda Drusendahl, Marcia Stevens, Mary Box and Joel Hosea, of Ocala; his sister Sandra (Hosea) Charity of Ocala; six grandchildren, Robby Cray of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Rachael Phelps of Wilmington, N.C., Jarrod Stevens of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, Shane Stevens of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, Jenna Box Sarkissian of Tallahassee, and Mason Box of Ocala; 14 great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

A service for Mark will be held Wednesday, July 20, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and the funeral service starting at 11 a.m. in the main chapel at the Roberts Funeral Homes Cemetery, Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens at 5050 SW 20th St. in Ocala.

Copy the Story Link