Mark P. Ceja, 62, Diehard Sports Fan

Born in Lorain on May 19, 1959, Mark attended the former St. John Roman Catholic parish school where he completed grades one through eight; he subsequently graduated from Southview High School as a member of the Class of 1977. Following his graduation, he moved to Columbus and began taking courses at Columbus State Community College.

While living in the state capitol, Mark was employed in the purchasing department of the Mount Carmel Health System. He eventually returned to northern Ohio re-establishing residence in Lorain. He began working in the purchasing department at Elyria Memorial Hospital and, at the time of his death, was employed in the same capacity by the hospital’s successor UH Elyria Medical Center.

Throughout his life, Mark was known for his generosity and willingness to help others whenever the need arose. A member of the Mexican Mutual Club of Lorain, he was a diehard sports fan including all Cleveland professional sports teams and, especially, The Ohio State University where he was a longtime football season ticket holder. Mark was also a devotee of all genres of music ranging from classical to the Beatles and Prince.

He is survived by his parents Alice (nee Rodriguez) and Tim Ross of Wakeman, brother Greg Ceja (Lynn) of Elyria, and sisters Elissa Palos (Fred) of Vermilion and JoLynne Marsh (Bruce) of Wakeman. Mark also leaves a total of seven nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Abel Ceja, paternal grandfather Jose Ceja, and maternal grandmother Mary Hill.

Visitation will begin Wednesday with an opening prayer by Reverend Ron Brickner, at 4:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain, and will continue until 8:00 p.m. Cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in Mark’s memory to either the Friendship Animal Protective League – 8283 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

To share your memories, please visit www.gluvna.net.