Mark Francis Boos, of Ellis, Kansas, age 78, passed away February 6, 2024 at Hays Medical Center. He was born March 27, 1945 in Hays, Kansas to Paul P. & Irene (Leiker) Boos. He married Diane M. Wishnuck on July 20, 1963, in Ellis, Kansas.
Mark graduated from Ellis High School in 1963. He then worked as a mechanic in Hays & Ellis and then operated a bulldozer for Ellis County Hwy Department. After an injury, he continued his education to become a Clinical Laboratory Technologist in 1976. He worked at Hays Pathology Lab for 26 years and achieved department head status. Due to four major back surgeries, he sadly had to discontinue his career.
One of the biggest loves in his life was playing guitar and singing & remarkably he played “by ear”. Over the years, he performed in Kay’s Combo, Johnny & The Rebels, Angie’s Polka Band, Younger Band, Heronemes Plus One, and lastly Flatland Band where he excelled as a country lead guitarist and singer. He was always so proud when his little 5 y/o son, Lee, joined him on stage tearing it up on the drums to the song, Wipe Out!
He was admired by many for his amazing ability to sound like Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Ricky Nelson, Conway Twitty, George Jones and many more. He loved to country dance with Diane. There was always music in the home. Mark was also known for being able to fix anything! Being a farmboy, he took his family on Sunday afternoon drives sharing his love for the country which also inspired their love for windmills, country roads and scenery. Mark was proud to watch his children when they were young at all of their basketball, football, golf, baseball events, and free-throw contests and he spent many hours driving to all these events. His grandchildren have so many memories when they were little of grandpa playing endless hours of electric trains, Playstation, computer games, teaching guitar and much more! He will be sadly missed by all.He is survived by his wife, Diane of the home, son, Loren Boos (Teresa) daughter, Lisa Erbert (Greg), & son, Lee Boos. Grandchildren, Greg Boos (Stephanie), Derek Erbert (Heidi), Nathan Erbert (Lynsie), Great-Grandchildren, Elizabeth & Marissa Boos, a brother, Dennis, and four sisters, Amelia (Millie) Winterscheidt, Rita Younger, Lila Margreiter (Rich) & Barbara Barkley. Sisters & Brothers-in law, Darlene Gottstine, Tom & Lenora Staab, Joe & Dixie Wishnuck, Lynn & Vera Kinderknecht, Tammy Shelton and many nieces and nephews.
Mark was preceded in death by an infant son, Lonnie Francis Boos, his parents, two brothers, Gerald & Thomas, infant sister, Lucy, two brothers-in-law Don R. Younger and Larry Winterscheidt, four sisters-in-law, Joyce & Phyllis Boos, Karla & Karen Wishnuck.
Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic School, Ellis, KS. Services will be at a later date and announced by Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared on Mark’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com