Peter Allan Van De Mark, 82, of Parkville, MO passed away on February 16, 2023 after a brief and unexpected illness. He was born March 6, 1940 in Lockport, NY to Allan William and Phyllis H. (Beck) Van De Mark. They preceded him in death.Peter graduated high school in Lockport and went on to earn a degree in Business from the University of Missouri St. Louis. He had a long, successful and rewarding career in sales.
Peter was a proud Veteran of the United States Army. It was while stationed in Germany he met his wife Elli Staudt. Always the gentleman, they met when he stopped to help her out of a ditch. Their love story began after taking her up on her offer to repay him with a beer. They were married on June 25, 1960 in Aschaffenburg, Germany. She was the love of his life and reason for living.
A well-travelled and well-read man, Peter enjoyed time spent with family, keeping up on current events, listening to music, dancing, singing, and especially organizing or being invited to gatherings to spend time with his closest friends. Peter was the rock of his family and he will be dearly missed.
In addition to Elli, survivors include children: Susan (Kevin) Troha, of Parkville, MO, Kristina (Kurt) Stone, of Kansas City, MO, and W. Matthew (Susan) Van De Mark, of Arlington Heights, IL; sister, Johanna Van De Mark; two brothers, Allan (Lora) Van De Mark, Dirk (Phyllis) Van De Mark, and beloved grandchildren: Katherine and Andrew Troha; Emily and Nikola Van De Mark; as well as nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Peter’s life on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at the Meyers Northland Chapel in Parkville. The evening will begin with a family eulogy at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Catholic Prayer Service. Following the Prayer Service, an informal visitation will take place until 8:00 p.m.
A Committal Service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Kansas City VA Medical Center, 4801 E. Linwood Blvd, Kansas City MO, 64128. Memories of Peter and condolences to the family can be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
Pete has been a great man, husband, father and friend since we were blessed to live across the street since we moved to Parkville. God Bless!!!
Pete and his lovely wife sat either in front of us or behind us in Church every Saturday at the Cathedral of The immaculate Conception for more than a decade, we are going to miss his smile and wave that he greeted us with every time!
I’m so terribly sorry. There are no words to make this any easier, only knowing he’s in the Best kingdom w/Jesus & is now your guardian Angel forever! I unfortunately never was fortunate to meet Peter, but I had the privilege of going to hs w/Tina. From what she’s shown us through her many pictures of him & the family, he sure must of been 1 hell of a family man & friend to many. Our condolences to the family, Kurt & Tina. Love, Chris, Trish & Brandon Breiner ❤️
Tina
I am so sorry for your loss. I really loved to hear your stories of your mom and dad. I know this will hurt forever. Prayers for all of you as you work thru this together. Love you, Stephanie
There is a void in the world now. He was one of a kind and will be missed terribly. Love to the family.
Pete, a very unique guy, fun with him always , we traveled with Ellie& him many times, always having wonderful time , they surprised us coming 2 Venice , when we were there, great memories, he will b missed by many people, our prayers are with Ellie& family, Vic& Carole
We feel we lost a brother and a best friend. We will miss you Pete. Lots of fun times with you, Elli and your family.
Please accept our sincerest condolences. May you find peace in your memories 🙏 Glad to have known him. How blessed you all were to have him in your lives. He was a great man.
I’ve had the privilege of attending 230p mass for years at the Cathedral with Pete and Ellie – he always had the best attitude and smile. What a prince of a man! I’m so sorry for your loss.
No words can express the void Peter’s passing had made in so many lives. Pete was a treasure to all who knew him. He and Ellie’s hospitality and love for our son a best friend of Matt’s and the many weekends trips to the lake will always be treasured memories. Everyone was always welcomed in the home.
We know Pete is singing in the celestial choir now. We know he will be there to welcome all the rest of us with a welcoming cocktail and that million dollar smile when we join him up there.. ..
God Bless you Pete Peace be Your my friend . Till we meet again. Kathy , Jimmie and Jeff Randolph’s
We have such great memories of Pete and Ellie going back to the Lake of the Ozarks era in the 1980’s, what fun we all had, and most recently with the Happy Hour group. We loved Pete, will miss him and will cherish the great memories forever. Our most sincere condolences to Ellie and the entire Van De Mark family.
We send our love, John and Judy
Pete was a great guy and the two of you made a great couple!! I am so sorry to hear this! Elli you will be in my prayers!!
Pete was truly a Man for all Seasons; A true Friend to Everyone.
He will be sorely missed. Ellie, prayers for You and Family.
My sincere condolence to Elli; like everyone else miss his smile and his indomitable spirit to keep going. I hope you will continue at the ‘Y’…I miss you.
We are sad with you, Elli and children. Such a gentleman and such a great smile!
Caroline and John Craun.
Tina and family, please accept my sincerest condolences. I will keep your dad and family in my prayers.
Sorry for your loss. I’m so sad for the loss of such wonderful man. He had a very contagious smile and welcoming and caring personality. So sorry Eli. I know how much you loved him and he loved you God bless you , try to think of all the wonderful memories he left behind. 🙏💕
Dear Elli and Family, we are so sorry for your loss. Pete was so full of life and joy. He will be so missed by so many. His positive attitude was infectious. He lit up the room where ever he went. We cherish our time spent with Pete at Happy Hours. Our love and prayers are with you. Love, Dave and Eileen
Allen , Lora and family are in our thoughts and prayers.
I’m deeply saddened by Pete’s passing. Pete and Elli’s hospitality and friendship are beyond compare. We are very blessed that you have been in our lives.
You are loved and forever remembered, Pete.
I had the pleasure of attending YMCA classes with Pete and Elli for the last couple of years. I did know either one of them very well. However, I could see the love and connection they felt for each other! What a beautiful fit couple! I enjoyed his radiant smile and kindness! So very sorry.
I met Peter at the Y with Elli. He immediately made you feel like you were an old friend. His gorgeous smile was infectious, and he was a joy to be around. He was such a gentleman to all the women there and every time he looked at Elli, he had that twinkle in his eye that he was enamored with her. Pete’s passing will leave a huge void for his family as well as his numerous friends. For those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Pete we are all the much better for it. Pete will be sorely missed but those in heaven have a new friend. I am so very sorry Elli, Susan, Kristina, Matt and the Grandkids that Pete passed. Please accept my condolences
So very sad to hear of Pete’s passing. We have shared so many good times together and Pete always had a funny story to make everyone laugh. He also had a heart of gold. He will be deeply missed.
We are so sorry to hear about Pete. Decades of memories of fun times with him, whether in the back of a patrol car in Chicago, dancing in the parking lot at Old Pike, or at the Y, will last forever. The world has lost a colorful, kind, and fun-loving gentleman and we are sorry for the loss to you and your family.
Dear Elli and Family,
My heart is broken for you in the passing of your beloved husband, father, father in law and grandfather. Pete was one of the kindness, most gracious and loving men I have ever known. My life has been forever changed for the better because of Pete and your entire family. I have felt like a part of your family for the past 30+ years. Pete is safe and sound with his Savior and I look so forward to that day when we are with him again, Forever. Until then, you will be in our thoughts and prayers for God’s perfect comfort and peace. In deepest love and sympathy, Bradley and Phyllis Harris
Tina, on behalf of the DHL family, please accept our condolences on this passing of your father. It is clear your father is in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It won’t be long until we are all reunited with our loved ones who have gone before us. May God Bless you and keep you, and His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
In Him,
David Fox
I just heard of Pete’s passing today. I am.so.sorry and sad..Pete was a great guy and Patriot. A wonderful electric smile and always something positive to share. To Elle and all the family my sincerest condolences! The world lost a goodan but heaven gained a great one!
Elli I am so very sorry for your loss.Pete was so very nice My heart goes out to you and your family much love to you Elli.
Thank you MBD Martial Arts for your donation In memory of Peter Van De Mark to the Veteran’s fund at the Kansas City VA Medical Center.
Al’s Gott sah, Dass der letzte Weg zu lang, der letzte Huegel zu steil und Das letzte Atmen zu schwer wurde, breitete er seine Arme aus und sprach:
“Komme heim”
Ellie to you and your Family our Condolence.