Mark Betley

Mark Edward Betley died Sunday, March 10, 2013, of esophageal cancer at his home in Marvel, Colo. He was 63. Mark was born January 19, 1950, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Edward and Mary Alice (Auster-Miller) Betley. He graduated from Bedford High School in Temperance, Mich., and received his education in general aviation in Denver. Mark enlisted in the U.S. Army April 11, 1969, in Monroe, Mich., and served for two years in Vietnam, where he was attached to the 101st and 82nd Airborne in communications. He was also trained as a Green Beret. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant in December 1971. He married Carlene Joy Wynn February 25, 1976, in Toledo, Ohio. He began his career as a flight instructor/owner at Castlewood Aviation in Denver in 1977. He later retired from W.W. Grainger in Farmington, N.M., where he worked as a customer service rep. Mark and Carlene moved to Bayfield in 1990 and then to Marvel in 2000. In his leisure time, Mark enjoyed flying and rebuilding antique tractors. He is preceded in death by his father. Mark is survived by his wife, Carlene Joy Betley of Marvel; mother, Mary Alice Betley (Auster-Miller) of Temperance, Mich., sons David Hawkins of Marvel and Joe Hawkins of Durango, Colo.; four grandchildren: Kieran, George, Sarah, and Robert; five siblings: brother Gerald Betley of Kingman, Ariz., sister Catherine Betley-Fotino of Flagstaff, Ariz., sister Theresa Horvath of Petersburg, Mich., sister Annette Overmann of Ottawa Lake, Mich., and brother Kenneth Betley of Upper Marlboro, Md.; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2013, at the Marvel Grange Hall. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: The Hope Team @ Western Regional Medical Center, 14200 W. Celebration Life Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338.