Mark E. Dunlap

Mark Emerson Dunlap, 61, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2026.

He was born October 7, 1964, in St. Charles, Missouri, to Howard W. Dunlap and A. Marlene (Holigan) Dunlap. He grew up in St. Charles, graduating from St. Charles West High School with the Class of 1982 and later earning a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Mark enjoyed a long career in the travel industry with TWA and American Airlines, where helping others travel safely and smoothly brought him great joy.

He shared his love of performing on stage in productions including Camelot and 1776, and through singing with the University Singers, Missouri Choral Society, Gateway Men’s Chorus, and Black Tulip Chorale. Music was the foundation of his life.

He also enjoyed hiking and traveling, had a passion for data analysis—particularly revealing voting trends in election results—and had an innate talent for hand-drawing elaborate maps with remarkable precision. He spent countless hours discussing and debating his longstanding goal of amending the Fourteenth Amendment.

He is survived by his brother, Stephen (Carrie) Dunlap; his sister, Jeri (James) Ormesher; Julie Cune; his aunt, Freda Stephens; his uncle, Harold (Hermena) Holigan; his nieces and nephews Emmanuel (Karin) Dunlap, Westen, Robert, Casey (Shaun) Bull, Taylor Dunlap, Christine, Cassaundra, William, Allen, Samantha, and Sarah; along with extended family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard W. Dunlap and A. Marlene (Holigan) Dunlap; his stepmother, June Dunlap; his brother, Blaine Harold Dunlap; his uncles, Blaine Dunlap, Jay Dunlap, Jerry Holigan, and Willis Stephens; and his brother-in-law, Rodney C. Zerr.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Black Tulip Chorale at www.blacktulipchorale.org.

Arrangements by Hoffen Funeral Home.