Mark Wayne Schnichels, age 52, a resident of Fort Scott, died Tuesday, February 6, 2007, at Mercy Hospital, following a battle with cancer. He was born August 28, 1954, in the town of Cuauntemoc, in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. His birth mother was Librida Nunez and he was adopted by Elfie Marie Schnichels. He became a U.S. citizen in 1963. He served two years in the U.S. Navy. He worked as a miner, in construction, and also as a mechanic. He was currently employed by Smith and Chambers in Fort Scott. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and various outdoor activities. He enjoyed rocking his grandchildren and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Susan Schnichels, of the home; mother Elfie Schichels, Marmaton, Kansas; two sisters, Linda Wurtz and husband Allen, Mesa, Arizona, and Rose Brown and husband Keith, Norfolk, Nebraska; brother Paul David Schnichels, Topeka, Kansas; fourteen children, Annette Long, RoxAnne Schnichels, Sara Schnichels, Frankie Elliott, Kayla Schnichels, Kari Schnichels, Mark Nunez Schnichels, Bronk Marmon, Cozy Marmon, Billy Shadden, Shyla Shadden, Paul Morris, Brandi Morris, and James Bryant; and twenty three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Meia Johnson, Dakota Elliott, and Damien Kimmel.

Funeral services for Mark Schnichels will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 9, 2007, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post No.1165 V.F.W.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be left in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences can be e-mailed to the family at cheneywittcondolence@cpol.net.