Mark A. Walen

Mark Alan Walen, age 63, passed away in his home on Friday, March 25th from a yearlong battle with cancer. He was born May 21st, 1958, to Alfred and Wilma Walen. He married Michelle McKinley on August 24th, 1993. At age 16 he started to work for his father's business, Vista Body Shop. He took ownership in 1993 where he maintained high quality repairs to the Salem community. In 1999 he hired his nephew, Jesse French and in 2000 his son, Grant Walen who are now 3rd generation owners. Vista Body Shop had a "Cheers" like vibe and was a meeting place for all to play cribbage and tell stories. Mark was a man who knew no strangers, lived his life with a big heart and would do anything for anyone. He loved his family and especially loved being a grandfather to his grandchildren, Henry Pfeifer, Hadley Walen and Evelyn Pfeifer who adored him. In a nutshell, he was a humble man who truly loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, pepperoni sticks and Busch light. He is survived by his wife, Michelle Walen; daughter, Stefanie Pfeifer; son, Grant Walen; mother, Wilma Walen; sisters, Karen Putnam, Debbie French, Sue Lowen; niece, Jennifer Harris; nephews Scott Putnam, Jesse French; and many others whose lives Mark touched. He will be missed terribly.