Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Saturday, January 17th, 2026.
Beloved husband of Vicki (nee Kasting); devoted father of Wm. Mark, Jr., Erin (Adam) Martin, Shannon (Cole) Cameron, Ryan, Adam (Jill Maloney), Alison (Nick Bley), Patrick (Chloe), Carolyn (Nick Greco), Michael (Savannah Diaz), Dominic, and Jack. Loving guardian to A.J., Jayme and Nick Williams; adoring grandfather to Emmy and Jack Cameron; dearest son of the late John Ries and Alice (the late Bill) Culis; loving brother of Julia (the late Mike) Gregorius, Patty (the late Don) Dreste, Donald (Gae Spinniccia) Ries, Nancy (the late Jim) Babin, Carol (Mark) Lee, Joe (Vicky) Ries, David Culis, and the late Tommy (survived by Sue) Ries and Mary (the late Marty) Williams; dear brother-in-law of Patti (Mark) Hovis, Donna (Jeff) Meyer, Chris Myers, and Cyndi (Ron) Gutierrez; our dear uncle, great uncle, cousin, and friend to many.
Mark dedicated 39 years as a Local 6 brewer at Anheuser-Busch, where he built lifelong friendships and provided endless entertaining stories. His love of sport as a player and coach was part of his life from an early age. Whether on the soccer field or the baseball diamond, he played and coached with great ability and in the spirit of true sportsmanship. He generously gave his time as a coach, guiding not only his children, but countless others in basketball, soccer, baseball, roller hockey and softball, always reminding them that the most important part of the game was to simply have fun.
He was a steady presence—encouraging, dependable, and always willing to lend a hand. Mark was a true family man. His greatest joy was watching his children grow in their daily lives and routines. Whether competing in sports, performing on stage, creating through art or written word, he quietly and humbly beamed with pride at their successes.
After a courageous year-and-a-half long battle with cancer, Mark passed away surrounded by the love of his family. He shared more than 40 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Vicki, who lovingly cared for him throughout his illness.
SERVICES: Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 28th at 10:00 AM at Seven Holy Founders Catholic Church (6737 S. Rock Hill Rd., 63123). Interment at Resurrection Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at Kutis Affton Chapel (10151 Gravois Rd., Affton, MO 63123).
Dear Cousin Vicki and Family
I am so sorry for your loss. I extend my prayers for you and the family through this difficult time. And for all the lives impacted by Mark’s passing, may you all find comfort in knowing the memories remain.
With deepest sympathy
Debbie (Poposky) Nipper
RIP my dear childhood friend you have earned your Angel wings love to
Your family
My sincere condolences to your family, worked with Mark at AB ,great guy , funny and a hard worker, he will be missed, RIP
Goodbye Mark, childhood friend from the neighborhood in so many of my early memories. Your name remained on the scoreboard in the Gymnasium of our Elementary School for years for having set a record in a dash race. You lived a good life. All the best to your family.
Peace to your family, dear cousin. Your legacy is your big loving family. Rest easy now. Love to you all
Vicki and family,
I am heartbroken for you. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss.
I loved Mark. Truly. His infectious smile, his caring heart, that friendly, easy way he had with everyone….he was just an all-around wonderful human!!! He made people feel seen and supported, especially our kids. I will always be grateful for the way he showed up for Kylee, for believing in her, and for helping her keep going when she might have quit. That mattered more than he probably ever knew.
I smile thinking about his random texts…something he read that made him think of “The Sendobry’s” along with all the moments that came with that. So many memories. So many smiles. So much love. Please know you are all held close in our hearts.
For now, raising a glass to Mark…may his smiles and spirit live on!!!
With love & sympathy,
Mary
my deepest condolences to Mark’s family. Mark worked at the brewery with my husband, I always remember him laughing and smiling when I would run into him. I will keep you in my prayers.
Kim Polka
We were best friends Mark through thick and thin!!!!
We were besties Mark-
Condolences and prayers to you Vicki and family on the loss of Mark. The Vogel family
We Heffernans were blessed to have Mark & the rest of his family in our lives. We have many fun soccer memories to relish! God Bless Mark and family. 🙏
Our family is grieving the loss of our number 9 .. he is joining our number 3 & 4 in heaven reuniting with our parents . Mark was the most cheerful , giving , loving brother . And was an accomplished athlete that shared those gifts with all his years as a coach whether it be a soccer field or baseball diamond . He made many friends throughout his life with a magnetic personality that drew people to him . I will miss and love him forever , Carol
Number 7 ❤️
I forgot to mention his most impressive job .. besides his 39 years at AB and as our brother. That was as a dad .. he and Vicki created a legacy that only the strong, faithful , enduring love can last a lifetime and beyond .Their 40 plus years .. was that kind of love ❤️
Mark-you did good, cousin. No-you did great. I’m sorry you had to leave so soon. Much love to all the Ries and Culis cousins!
Mark,
You were an absolutely wonderful man, a loved father, coach and friend. We spoke just a month ago about the good old days of coaching an amazing group of boys together for several years. I told you how Elliot and I often look back on those years with you as head coach as some of the best times we ever had together, and how I learned quite a few things myself from you that I live by to this day.
You were a skilled soccer player, it was in your family blood, you were so proud of your brother (and of course ALL your kids!), and a hell of a coach. Maybe you were a little hard on the refs on occasion 😉 But you were the best coach Elliot ever had! It was truly an honor to be your assistant coach and to learn from you during those years. It was challenging, but it was also fun, as you were such a great friend! Under your leadership we took that group to heights no one expected of a “classic” team, beating every team at SLSG except the academy team, winning top division in SLYSA, winning countless tournaments, and even making it to the USYS national league. But you taught those boys, and me, far more than soccer. You loved those boys and cared more about developing them into fine young men, who could not only compete and be successful, but who could be loving, kind people who had fun and were a joy to be around. Just like the man you were.
Mark, it breaks my heart to learn that you are gone, but I feel peace knowing the positive impact you had on so many lives, including my own and that of my son. I love you and miss you, my friend.
Mark was the most upbeat, high energy, sharp witted and funny friend you could have . He talked about his family so often. He was so proud of them. Dedicated to his many hats task that he enjoyed. His humor his wit, smile and pat on the shoulder will be missed. God bless your family and keep them laughing in heaven. Untill we see each other again, bye for now. Bryan and Patricia Marion.