IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Mark D.
Fransen
August 21, 1954 – March 28, 2019
Obituary
Mark D. Fransen, 64 of Big Rock passed away March 28, 2019 in his home.
Graveside services will be Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., at Troy Grove Cemetery, Troy Grove. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is handling arrangements.
Mark was born August 21, 1954 in Mendota to Logan and Cecil (Carney) Fransen.
Mark was a graduate of Mendota High School in 1972. He owned Mark Fransen Stables in Big Rock. He took out his trainers license in 1972 and trained the winners of over 700 races and of $7 million in purses. He was inducted into the Illinois Harness Horseman's Association Hall of Fame in 2007. He trained two horses which were inducted into the IHHA Hall of Fame: Plum Peachy (1995) and Broadway Preview (2001). Plum Peachy also earned honors as 1990 Illinois Horse of the Year. He trained the winners of nine Super Night races in Chicago and four winners of the prestigious Maywood Pace. He trained Illinois State Fair champions Buck and Wing and Skipalong Misty. He trained horses which set track records at Sportsman's Park, Maywood Park, Balmoral Park, Quad City Downs and the Illinois State Fair. Mark was known to racing fans across the state for his versatility as a trainer. His multi-faceted skill set enabled him to excel with colts and fillies, trotters and pacers, and both stakes colts and older horses.
He is survived by his daugher Melanie Fransen of Midway, KY; his sister Sandy (Stephen) Arkels of Princeton and his brother Terry (Ellen) Fransen of Utica.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gary and his sister Judy.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family at Resource Bank in Mark's name.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mark D. Fransen, please visit our flower store.
Services
Mark D. Fransen's Guestbook
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