As organizers and residents are gearing up for the annual Ripley County Relay For Life this weekend, a local family is remembering a loved one who battled cancer.
It has been a difficult year for family and friends of Mark Eckstein. He passed away in May after an 11-month fight with cancer at the age of 43.
The 1988 graduate of Batesville High School was well known in the community and worked for the city’s water and gas department for 26 years.
Life took an unexpected turn in 2013 when Mark was diagnosed with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma cancer.
His sister, Joan McKamey recalls her brother, “I don’t know anybody that didn’t like Mark. He was a tough guy, but there was something very gentle about him and very caring. A big guy with a big heart.”
McKamey said the family knew something may have been wrong with Mark before he was diagnosed last year.
“We were all on pins and needles until he got his definite diagnosis at the end of the month, it was a big blow to us, a definite big blow to us,” McKamey said. “It was the first time we had dealt with something like that in our immediate family.”
Finding out a loved one has cancer is a moment many of us have experienced. According to the American Cancer Society, this year alone there will be an estimated 1,665,540 new cases diagnosed. The disease remains the second most common cause of death in the US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths.
“It was devastating news and was a very very difficult journey to travel with Mark, his wife and kids,” McKamey remembered. “It brought our family closer. We appreciate our folks and the efforts they made and the decent people we turned out to be.”
“But Mark, he was one of the best of the best.”
It is understandable how a person can question their faith when the news is received that you, or someone you love, has cancer. McAmey noted that she never once heard Mark or his wife question, “Why me?”
Mark, like many individuals who are battling cancer, or have fought the disease, found the resiliency and inner strength to lean on faith, family and acceptance as he progressed through the cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Your body is just under siege from the cancer but also especially from the treatment, that was wearying,” McKamey said. “Yet he put up the fight. I think he had a lot to live for and a lot to fight for.”
“I think that is part of his legacy, for his kids especially. They were worth the fight and he was not going to go down without a fight.”
He married Julie Simon in 1995 and they have two children, Carmen, 16, and Jared, 14.
Free time for Mark was spent with his family. The member of St. Maurice Catholic Church also enjoyed golfing, squirrel hunting, riding motorcycles and the simple pleasure of the outdoors.
“I think Mark would tell us to live each day to the fullest and make the most of it. To see the blessing and the gift of each day, each person, and each opportunity, and to not let them pass by because life can be taken from us so quickly.”
Mark’s story, and the story of other local cancer victims and survivors will be shared this weekend at Batesville High School. The 19th annual Ripley County Relay For Life is from 8:00 a.m. Saturday to 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
Batesville United Methodist Church, in partnership with Margaret Mary Health, is offering monthly cancer support group meetings. Anyone is invited. The first meeting will be held at the church at 5:30 p.m. on Thurs., June 26.
