Obituary of Mark Douglas Hartwig

Mark Douglas Hartwig, 62, passed peacefully from sleep into the arms of Jesus on Sunday morning, July 15, 2018. His death brings the end to a 24-year battle with cancer and its unrelenting side effects, but also marks a victory over death and a restoration and freeing of his mind and spirit.Mark was born on January 14, 1956 in Los Angeles, California to Eugene and Patricia Hartwig. He grew up in Covina with his brothers, Brad and Jim, and his sister, Terri. He graduated from Royal Oak High School, where he earned a reputation as both a cross country all-star and a notorious prankster and jokester. It was near the end of his high school career that he discovered his love of learning and launched into his academic career.Mark attended Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois from 1973 - 1977. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with an emphasis in therapeutic practices. While he was a student at Trinity he volunteered at the Allendale Home for Boys, served as a worship leader at Great Lakes Naval Station Chapel, and served as the Director of Small Group Ministries. Two years after his Bachelors' studies ended, he began his graduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It is there that he met his beloved wife, Janelle Luanne Brunner. The two met in 1980 and quickly realized that the Lord meant them to be together; they got engaged seven weeks after meeting and married on July 11, 1981 in Manawa, Wisconsin. The two studied together at UCSB for many years, and in 1986 Mark graduated with his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. His research and studies centered around statistics, measurement, research design, and the social context of instruction. Mark and Janelle welcomed three children; Alan Daniel (1986, deceased), Malerie Beth (1987) and Kevin Andrew (1989). The family moved to Colorado in 1988, where Mark established himself in his career as a scholar, writer, editor, speaker and scientist. Among his many roles, he spent one year working at Colorado Christian University as an Associate Professor before starting with the Foundation for Thought and Ethics in 1994, where he worked as Editor-in-Chief. He later was hired by Focus on the Family as editor-in-chief of Teachers in Focus Magazine. When the magazine ended in December of 2000, he stayed on at Focus as a Special Projects Editor and Social Research Analyst. Mark also spent many years serving as an Elder at Forestgate Presbyterian Church, where he found a spiritual home for nearly 28 years. Mark's scholarship and writing had tremendous impact. Some highlights of his career included publications in the Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal and Citizens Magazine; a trip to Sudan to cover their Civil War in the late-90's; serving as a lobbyist for Focus on the Family with the United Nations; and writing numerous ground-breaking articles for Focus on the Family and other Christian institutions.Perhaps Mark's greatest legacy is his openness about his struggles with cancer. When he wrote (as he often did) about his journey with illness and his steadfast faith in the Lord throughout the darkest of times, he brought encouragement and hope to people around the globe. Mark had a way of speaking truth simply and gently; of telling stories that resonated deeply. His testimony brought others to a renewed faith in God. He offered wisdom to his friends and family and sought after the Lord fervently throughout his adult life. In the later years of his life, as illness clouded his mind and took his ability to write, he remained faithful, hopeful, and steadfast. We know that now, with the Lord, his mind is free again; that his endlessly curious mind is finally satisfied as he sits in the presence of the All-Knowing. Mark is preceded in death by his father, Eugene; and his son, Alan. Mark is survived and celebrated by his wife, Janelle; his daughter, Malerie; his son, Kevin; his granddaughter, Alanna; his daughter-in-law, Cassandra; his son-in-law, Chris; his mother, Patricia; his brothers, James "Jim" and Brad; his sister, Terri; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and dear friends. Visitation, 6:00PM - 8:00PM, Thursday, July 19, 2018, The Springs Funeral Services-North, 6575 Oakwood Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80923.Memorial Service, 2:00PM, Saturday, July 21, 2018, The Springs Funeral Services-North. Events Visitation Thursday, July 19, 2018 6:00PM - 8:00PM The Springs Funeral Services - North 6575 Oakwood Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80923 Phone: 719-207-8611 Memorial Service Saturday, July 21, 2018 2:00PM The Springs Funeral Services - North 6575 Oakwood Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80923 Phone: 719-207-8611