Pastor Mark D. Waits, age 65, of Coffeyville, Kansas was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
Mark was born on June 28, 1957, in Des Moines, Iowa to Johnny and Caroline (Baldwin) Waits. He grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Des Moines Technical High School. On December 6, 1986, he was united in marriage to Debra Nickel in Des Moines, Iowa. The couple lived in Des Moines, Jewell, and Randall Iowa with their 5 children until Mark was called to the ministry with the United Pentecostal Church International Organization.
Mark became a licensed minister and took his first pastoral position at the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Centerville, Iowa. He ministered there from 1995-2015. During this time, in 1998, he helped start a daughter church in Chariton, Iowa. Mark also held many other roles through these years, including the Iowa Home Missions Sectional Representative (1999-2002), and he served as the Iowa North American Missions Director (2003-2007). He had a passion for leadership development which led him to mentor several young men to a higher level (2007-2012).
Mark enjoyed going for walks, reading, history, working with livestock and had a desire to promote growth in all things. He also had a passion for politics and people, which led his drive to be active in community service. He was proud to be elected to the Appanoose County Board of Supervisors from 2015 to 2020. During this time he led several initiatives and made a lasting impact on many of the county's citizens. In October 2020, Mark and Debbie journeyed to Coffeyville, Kansas to revive the Solid Rock Church.
Mark loved his family and the time he spent with them. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him. Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Debbie Waits; children, Nancy (Jeremy) Croteau of Centerville, Iowa, Crystal (Jimmie) Widlund of Altoona, Iowa, John (Kassie) Waits of Derby, Kansas, Mark Z. (Jessica) Waits of New Sharon, Iowa, Tim (Athena) Waits of Parsons, Kansas; fourteen grandchildren; one great grandchild; brothers, George Waits of Des Moines, Iowa, Donny Waits of South Bend, Indiana; a sister, Candace Scritchfield of Centerville, Iowa; many extended relatives, church family and close friends. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Caroline Waits; two brothers, Johnny Waits, Jr. and Bobby Waits.
A Funeral Service Celebrating Pastor Waits' Life will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the New Vision Church in Coffeyville, Kansas. Pastor Brian Fuller and Bishop J. Marrell Cornwell will officiate.
Memorial contributions can be made to Solid Rock Church to grow the seeds that Pastor Waits planted; these may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline Rd. Coffeyville, KS 67337.
The family has entrusted funeral arrangements to David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. To leave a condolence for the family online, visit www.dwbfh.com
