Mark Churchman

Wharton:  Mark Churchman passed away at his residence in Wharton, NJ on Tuesday May 9, 2023.

He was born in West Hudson Hospital in Kearny, NJ on July 8, 1954 to Hubert F and Therese (nee Coggins) Churchman.  After a brief time in North Arlington, NJ the family moved to Kearny where he grew up with 3 brothers and 1 sister.

He attended St. Stephen’s Grammar School and Kearny High School (KHS class of 1973). While in high school Mark excelled in 3 sports – football, wrestling and crew – where he was elected a captain for each of those teams. He was also elected as Master Counselor of the local DeMolay chapter. Mark attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. While at college, Mark participated on the Lightweight Crew team.  He also played intramural football. He was a member of the Rutgers ROTC. Mark was frequently involved in civic activities, including Special Olympics. While supporting this particular cause he met his future wife, Joanne (nee Legato).  After marriage in 1984, they settled in Dover, NJ before moving to Wharton, NJ to raise a family.

They were blessed with wonderful children – Julianne, (1990), and twin girls Michelle and Stephanie (1993).

Mark was a longtime active parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Wharton, where he was a long-serving member of the St. Mary’s Choir in addition to his regular attendance and volunteer work as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of Knights of Columbus – Lafayette Council Chapter 514). Within the Knights of Columbus he served as Grand Knight. Mark held several jobs over his career including working at Picatinny Arsenal for the Technical Data Directorate. He also worked at United Parcel Service before he retired.

Mark was predeceased by his wife Joanne in December 2008.  He was also predeceased by his mom in February 2009 and brother Francis in September 2009 and his father in March, 2014.

Mark is survived by his three children Julianne and fiancé, Mike Smith, Michelle A. Hill and husband Brendan, and Stephanie and her partner Justin; he also is survived by his granddaughter Adalida (daughter of Michelle and Brendan).   He also survived by his older brother Brian (Stuart, FL), younger brother James (Wantage, NJ) and his baby sister Nancy M. Shaffer and her husband Harry (Lake Ariel, PA).

A memorial visitation will be held 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S. Main St., Wharton on Monday May 15, 2023.

A funeral mass will be held 12 Noon at St. Mary’s Church in Wharton following the visitation.  Mark will be laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery, Mine Hill after the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the American Diabetes Association (Link down below under Donations).

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