Dr. Mark W. Roark

Dr. Mark W. Roark, 65, of Indianapolis, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Clearvista Lake Health Campus following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was born on March 17, 1959 in Owosso, Michigan, the son of Charles R. and Inge (Mittmann) Roark. At the early age of eight, Mark announced to his family that he wanted to be an “Eye Doctor” and considered it his lifelong calling. Mark graduated from Miami Trace High School in Washington Court House, Ohio, in 1977. He attended God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Union Bible College in Westfield, Indiana. Mark studied Pre-Optometry at Butler University and earned a doctorate degree in 1984 at Indiana University School of Optometry in Bloomington, where he graduated as Valedictorian. He met the love of his life, Anne Gebby, at church and they married on July 12, 1980. Dr. Roark began his career in Berne, Indiana before moving to Indianapolis. He saw patients at MetroHealth for 12 years before moving into private practice, where he worked alongside Dr. Muskat and Dr. Funk for the next five years. In 2003, Dr. Roark opened his own practice, Allisonville Eye Care Center, where he provided excellent patient care until his health declined at the end of 2022. Dr. Roark was passionate about all aspects of eye care, especially how nutrition relates to eye health. He wrote 19 professional publications and lectured often, including twice at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. He was a member of the American Optometric Association and the Indiana Optometric Association for 29 years and was proud to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry since 2012. The Indiana Optometric Association just last month presented Mark with a Meritorious Service Award for his service to the community and profession. Mark had a heart for people and was selfless, often seeing patients who showed up after hours in need and was generous in his time with his patients. He had a servant’s heart and enjoyed providing eye care to those in need in Bolivia, Honduras, Jamaica, Haiti, and Dominica. Mark greatly loved music and grew up singing with his sisters. He played bass guitar and sang with various groups including the Celebration Quartet and Disciples of Praise. For many years, he enjoyed singing and playing bass at the New Earth Fest in Atlanta, Indiana. Mark also played the bass every Sunday at church. He and his family attended Southeastern Holiness Church, Noblesville Pilgrim Holiness Church, Park Place Free Methodist in New Castle, and in recent years, Indianapolis First Church of the Nazarene. Mark’s greatest love was his family. He enjoyed family vacations, traveling, being outdoors, hiking and riding bikes, playing sports, and working out with his son, David. Those left to cherish Mark’s memory include his wife of almost 44 years, Anne Roark; three children, Anita C. Roark, David Roark, and Darla Roark, all of Indianapolis; his father, Charles R. Roark of Loveland, OH; three sisters, Nancy Holton of Goshen, OH, Cinda Steen of San Diego, CA, and Charlene (Glenn) Quintana of Duanesburg, NY; several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and several family members in Germany. He was preceded in death by his mother, Inge Roark. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 29, 2024 at First Church of the Nazarene, 9401 E. 25th St. Indianapolis, Indiana, 46229 with Rev. Mark Bales officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am until the time of service Saturday at the church. Burial will be held privately at a later date at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis. Memorial contributions may be offered to the Glioblastoma Resource Organization by Clicking Here. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Dr. Mark W. Roark.

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Dr. Mark W. Roark

March 17, 1959 - June 25, 2024