Mark Walter Simons, 54, died on Dec. 28, 2018. He was born on April 20, 1964, in Elmwood Park to Wally and Helen Simons. 

He is survived by his wife, Pamela J. Kuzniar; their children, Sophia J. Simons, Kate Alexandra, Pamela A. Izvanariu; and his brother, Peter Simons. He is preceded in death by his father, Walter F. Simons, his mother, Helen M. (Nielsen) Simons, and his sister, Lorel F. Simons.

Mark graduated from Deerfield High School in 1982. He received his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in 1986. He attended graduate school at Northwestern University and received a Master of Arts in English in 1987 and A Master of Arts in radio, television, and film in 1988. He worked at J.P. Simons, a company established by his grandfather, and eventually returned to school. In 2002, Mark received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He married Pamela J. Kuzniar in 2002. 

Mark practiced family law in Lake County Illinois. He was an active member of the Lake County Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association. He was an accomplished musician and often participated in the bar association variety show. He loved writing music and preforming.