Mark Ewald Lehmann, 57, of Stevensville died suddenly Thursday, April 7, 2016 in Holland MI.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor David Colp officiating. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Lincoln Charter Township c/o Soccer Capitol Fund. Those wishing to share a memory of Mark online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Mark was born June 27, 1958 in St. Joseph, MI to Ewald & Agathe (Pahl) Lehmann. He attended Michigan Lutheran High School for two years, then graduated from Lakeshore High School in 1976. In 1980, Mark earned his bachelor’s degree from Ferris State College (now University). On May 6, 1989 he married Erin Righter in St. Joseph, they were about to celebrate their 27thanniversary.
Mark began his manufacturing career at Wollin Products, working alongside his father. He then began a long-time partnership with Peter Bartschke as co-owner of Standard Tool and Die until he sold his interest in the company and retired in 2013. He was also one of the founders of All-Star Plastics until selling and retiring. In both businesses he worked in sale and production, forming solid friendships and earning the respect of customers, vendors and employees.
Mark spent many years coaching and playing soccer. He had a unique understanding of the sport after spending a decade playing with fellow members of the St. Joseph Kickers Club. He was a hard-working player with a knack for fancy footwork and finding the net from surprising angles. He took his experience playing with other European-trained players and tried to pass that on to all the teams he worked with. When his sons began playing soccer, he immersed himself in coaching their youth or school teams. The last ten years he served as an assistant coach for Lakeshore High School. In soccer as well, he formed solid friendships and earned the respect of players, parents and other coaches.
Mark attended First Church of God in St. Joseph for over 20 years. In 2014, he went on a church building mission trip to Paraguay, opening doors to new friendships and an understanding of how his retirement time could be used for great benefit.
Mark is survived by his wife, Erin Lehmann; three sons Jason, A.J., and Paul Lehmann; mother, Agathe Lehmann; and brother, Bruno Lehmann, who all enjoyed spending more time with him these few retirement years. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Ewald.