Father Mark Andrew Moore, 49, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026 after a valiant year-long battle with cancer. He was born in Ironton, Ohio on October 25, 1976 to Dorothijean (Dee) Moore.

He leaves behind his mother, Dee, brother Stephen (Sarah), and his beloved niece Brighton, along with several aunts & uncles, cousins, and friends who were family. He also leaves behind countless parishioners who became "family" throughout his ministry.

Father Mark was preceded in death by his grandmother and grandfather Dorothy and George Brown and great Aunt Christine Holtz.

Bishop R. Daniel Conlon, Steubenville's fourth bishop, ordained Fr. Mark to the priesthood June 13, 2003, at St. Joseph Church, Ironton, his home parish.  Fr. Mark graduated from St. Joseph Central High School, Ironton, and then attended the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in history and a master of divinity degree.

His assignments with the diocese included parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish, Marietta; Holy Rosary Parish, Steubenville; St. Pius the Tenth Parish, Steubenville; Triumph of the Cross Parish, Steubenville; Christ the King University and St. Paul parishes, Athens.

Fr. Mark had been pastor of Christ the King University and St. Paul parishes since 2013, where he led the Ohio University campus ministry; Sacred Heart Parish, Pomeroy since 2016; Holy Cross Parish, Glouster since 2019; and was pastor of St. Mary of the Hills Parish, Buchtel, from 2019-22.

Other diocesan assignments included assistant director of vocations; chaplain at Trinity Health System, Steubenville; pastoral administrator of Bishop John King Mussio Central Elementary School, Steubenville; teacher at Catholic Central High School, Steubenville, and St. Mary Elementary School, Marietta;  representative for Nativity of Mary Deanery on Presbyteral Council; and served on College of Consultors.

Fr. Mark was a gifted homilist, teacher, and shepherd.  He was a larger than life character who had a knack for interior design and architecture. When he was stressed, he would often be found sketching church renovation plans or building 3-D models of his ideas that he would later share with others. Then he would start over. Often he had at least 5-10, sometimes 20, potential architectural plans for any given project. He was also proficient in Microsoft Paint.

Fr. Mark also loved music. While he had fairly specific preferences for the liturgy, he was also a fan of mainstream, popular music, especially of the alt. rock variety. For a time, the office staff in Athens would enjoy Bette Davis Eyes Mondays, where he'd play the Kim Carnes song over the intercom. Staff also occasionally learned about "blue light specials" and other important nonsensical things over the office phone intercoms. His quick wit, sense of humor, and friendship is what will be missed most of all.

While Father Mark's priesthood touched countless lives across southeastern Ohio and beyond, those closest to him knew him not only as a priest, but as a beloved son, brother, uncle, and family member whose love was deeply personal and enduring. His bond with his family, especially his niece Brighton, brought him immense joy and pride throughout his life and illness. Even while carrying the burdens of ministry and suffering, Father Mark remained deeply devoted to those he loved most, offering them the same compassion, humor, strength, and faithful presence that he so freely shared with his parish communities. His family walked beside him with extraordinary love and devotion throughout his final journey, and their witness of faith and closeness was a reflection of the deep love that Father Mark himself gave so generously to others.

To say that Father Mark will be missed would be an understatement. His steadfast faith, sage counsel, and enduring joy will leave those who knew him with lasting memories as well as a deep desire to have more time with their beloved friend.

Memorial Mass for Father Mark Moore will be celebrated at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. A public reception will immediately follow the Mass in the lower level of the Basilica. All are welcome.

Public visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11th, at Christ the King Church in Athens from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. and from 6:00P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass for Father Mark will be celebrated on Friday, June 12th, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Church in Athens. In keeping with the wishes of Father Mark's family and due to limited capacity, attendance at the Funeral Mass itself will be limited to family members, brother priests, deacons, parish and diocesan staff, and the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard.

To allow the faithful to participate prayerfully in the Funeral Mass, livestream viewing will be available at Christ the King Church in Athens, the Holy Family Center in Athens, Sacred Heart Church in Pomeroy, and online. Following the Mass, Father Mark will be laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Athens. All are welcome to gather and walk to Mt. Calvary Cemetery following the livestream. Limited street parking and parking at nearby local businesses will be available for those unable to make the walk.

An additional Memorial Mass for Father Mark will be celebrated on Thursday, June 18th, at 1:30 P.M. at St. Joseph Church in Ironton. All are Welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ironton Catholic Schools, St. Joseph Ironton, and the Catholic Parishes of Athens & Meigs Counties.

Local arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens.  Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.