Mark Leonard O'Grady

Mark Leonard O’Grady, age 69, of West Branch, died on Saturday, June 27, 2020, surrounded by family in his home after losing his battle with cancer. He was born on November 25, 1950 in West Branch to Leonard and Cecilia (Faler) O’Grady.

Mark was an Army veteran and served a tour in Germany where he met his wife of almost 48 years, Rita. After leaving the Army as a SSG E6 in 1978, they settled back into his hometown of West Branch. He loved fishing, ice fishing, and hunting. Mark also loved to drive, making a career of it as a semi-truck driver before retiring in 2012.

Mark is survived by his wife, Rita; daughters, Katja (Michael) Tandarich of Chesterfield, MI and Jessica (Daniel) Abston of Dundee, MI; and sons, Kevin (Laura Bellinger) O’Grady and Ryan (Kendi) O’Grady both of West Branch, MI. He loved and will be missed by his nine grandchildren; Amanda (Paul) Brand, Alisha Stevenson, Jace O’Grady, Colin O’Grady, Mikey Tandarich, Olivia Abston, James Abston, Makenzi O’Grady, and Sean O’Grady. Mark is also survived by his brother, Paul (Carolyn) O’Grady of Traverse City; sisters, Anne (Walt) Schmidt of Suttons Bay, Nancy (Donald, dec.) Schave of Syracuse, NY; and multiple nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Cecilia O’Grady, as well as his sons, Patrick and Chris.

The family is holding a visitation at Steuernol and McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 from 3 pm-9 pm.

Visitation for Mark will be held with precautions due to the current pandemic, limiting the number of attendees at a given time.

According to Mark’s wishes, his body will be cremated. He will be buried with military honors the following week at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI.


If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Compassus Hospice.

Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com