Mark Hailman

Mark Christian Hailman, 61, of Rockford, died unexpectedly at home on Monday. He was the husband of Roma (Villani) Hailman with whom he co-owned Mrs. Fisher's, Inc.

Mark was born July 16, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Warren and Millie Hailman. He attended school in Detroit, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Rockford, Illinois, and graduated from George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics.

Following his graduation, Mark pursued a career in production planning and purchasing. He worked for Rockford Clutch, Borg-Warner, Sundstrand Corporation and Nissan Forklift, from which he retired in 2005 as a Senior Buyer. In 2007 Mark and Roma purchased Mrs. Fisher's, Inc. Work was just a necessary part of life for Mark until he became an owner of Mrs. Fisher's. From the beginning, he had a passion for all things involved in this business. He loved the people who worked there, the product it produced, and details included in its daily operation. To family and friends, it was clear that Mark had been reborn. Not only did he relish every aspect of making potato chips, he also made plans to make the company better, and spoke with pride about new equipment, expanded territory and future changes he hoped to make. In a recent issue of Northwest Quarterly, Mrs. Fisher's was recognized for its contribution to local manufacturing in the food industry. In each of the pictures, Mark was smiling.

Loyalty was always a characteristic Mark admired in others and valued in himself. If you were a friend or family member, you could be sure "he had your back." In sports he faithfully followed three teams: the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Born in Detroit with a father and grandfather who loved sports, he became a baseball and football fan early in life. Even in the years of losing seasons, Mark never abandoned his Detroit teams. With a Dad who attended Michigan and a brother and sister who graduated from the University of Iowa, there was always talk of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Big Ten athletics. Although Iowa State was his school, the Hawkeyes had been his team early in life and he never gave up on the Black and Gold.

His greatest loves were his wife Roma, his dog Hayley, and his home. Mark was a man who liked routine, and that included his favorite meals prepared only one way, his favorite chair, his favorite television shows, and his favorite authors. He couldn't relax until his lawn was mowed and his car was washed. In the middle of his busy predictable day were his best pal Hayley who recently died and his wife Roma whom he loved more than anything.

Anyone fortunate to have spent time with Mark will miss his dry humor, his wisdom, and his warm caring nature. The world has lost "one of the good guys."

Mark is survived by Roma, his wife of 26 years, his brother Donald and his wife Kathryn, his sister Joan Innis and her husband Richard, his nieces and nephews Samuel and Emma Hailman, Jane Innis Crawford and her husband Tyson. Mother –in –law Clara Villani, sister in law – Ann Villani (Andrea), brother in law Tony Villani, nephew Cody Villani and niece Marissa Villani. Predeceased by his Father-in-law James Villani

Funeral Service at 6pm Monday November 18, 2013 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home 1860 S. Mulford Road. Visitation from 2pm until 5:45 Monday in the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675. www.woundedwarriorproject.org Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com