Mark R. Volin, of Westmont and formerly of Woodridge, IL, passed away on October 15, 2025, after a long declining condition. Born September 9, 1949, in Chicago, IL to the late Robert and Eleanor (nee Polak) Volin. Loving brother to Louise (Lloyd) Herman, and Kenneth (Linda) Volin. Caring uncle to Ben (Anna) Carlson, James and Natalie Volin. Beloved cousin to Barb, Jim, Meg, MaryAnn, and John.

 

Mark grew up in Downers Grove, attending St Mary of Gostyn elementary school, and graduating from St. Procopius Academy, Lisle, IL, Class of 1967, where he competed on the football and wrestling teams. He briefly worked for the U.S. Postal Service before enlisting in the U.S. Army.

 

Mark served as a combat infantryman in Vietnam with the U.S. Army 9th Infantry and 1st Cavalry Divisions, and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for heroism under fire. After returning from Vietnam, he finished his tour of duty with the 1st Armor Division, stationed at Fort Hood, TX. Upon discharge from the Army, he returned to the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn to finish his AA (1972), then went on to Northern Illinois University, completing a BS (1974) and MBA (1976) under the GI Bill. While at NIU, he was very involved with the NIU Vet’s Club, including the club’s boisterous homecoming cheerleaders, the “Cherry Blossoms.”

 

With his MBA, he held a number of management positions with Continental Can, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Venture Stores, and Spiegel's. In 1988, he joined the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Acquisition and Logistics, as a management analyst, in Hines, IL, retiring after 27 years in 2015. He was a long-time member of the American Legion, Park Forest Post 1198 and VFW Lemont Post 5819.

 

He enjoyed golf, fishing, train travel, watching football, WWII movies, and westerns, and also card games, being especially good at poker. He was always quick with a joke and could enliven any party. From his early school years he has had a close group of lifelong friends, dubbed “The Clan.” Clan holiday parties were legendary, in part fueled by Mark’s antics.

 

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 5th, 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main St, Downers Grove. Visitation will continue at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., at St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church, 445 Prairie Ave, Downers Grove. Interment will be a private service at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL, with full military honors at a later date.