Mark Raymond Brighton

Mark Raymond Brighton, age 58 of Marcus, Iowa, passed away Saturday, August 28, 2021 at his home in Marcus. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, September 3, 2021 at the Grace United Methodist Church in Marcus. Pastor Travis Stevick will officiate. Burial will be at the Newell Cemetery in Newell, IA. Visitation will take place at the Grace United Methodist Church in Marcus beginning at 4:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Mark’s name where a portion will be used for school related projects that were dear to him. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Marcus is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Mark Raymond Brighton, the son of Rev. George and Norma (Johnsen) Brighton, was born on December 17, 1962 in Belmond, IA. He graduated from Graettinger High School in Graettinger, IA. In 1987 he graduated from Westmar College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education and Elementary Education. He later graduated from Drake University with a Master of Science in Educational Administration in 1995.

Teaching and coaching were Mark’s life. He began teaching at Meriden-Cleghorn School in 1987 and continued to teach through the consolidation with Marcus in 1993 and Remsen Union in 2016. He began as a physical education instructor. Over the years, he also served as a reading and spelling instructor, health teacher, and junior high athletic director. Mark was an instructor for Northwest AEA and an adjunct professor at Morningside College. He retired from Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn-Remsen-Union in May 2020.

Mark was a talented coach, referee and umpire. Over his long career, he earned many honors and accolades which include the Iowa Middle School Athletic Director Of The Year multiple times, 1A District Coach Of The Year multiple times and was inducted into the 2021 IHSADA Hall of Fame. Mark spent many years umpiring high school/college softball as well as refereeing high school volleyball and basketball. Mark was honored to be chosen to umpire the Iowa Girls High School State Softball Tournament for more than 10 years consecutively. He also made multiple appearances in the Iowa Girls High School State Volleyball Tournament.

Mark was united in marriage to Amy Hupke. Together, they were blessed with two children, Laura and Kyle.

He attended the College World Series and at least one Minnesota Twins baseball game every year. He loved all sports, and it would be normal for him to be watching and keeping track of multiple games at the same time. He was an avid Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He was known to have stockpiles of Snickers candy bars in his freezer along with plenty of Coke in a can in the fridge. Most of all, Mark enjoyed every moment spent following his children through school. His kids were his everything.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. George and Norma Brighton and his brother-in-law, Jeff Brebner.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Laura Brighton and boyfriend, Colin Hartman of Sioux City, and Kyle Brighton of Hinton; brother, David (Becky) Brighton of Marion; sister, Marcia Brebner of Newell; two nephews, Kolin (Nicole) Brighton of Cedar Rapids, and Zachary Brebner of Urbandale; two nieces, Valerea Brebner-Ehrhardt (Jon) of Sac City and Katie Legue (Eric) of Vinton along with many other relatives and friends.

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