Mark Evan Saylor

Have you ever turned the last page of a book you couldn’t put down or watched the credits begin to scroll at the finish of a great movie and thought… wait, that can’t be it?

The characters spread off the page and step out of the screen. Their stories so compelling and personalities so engaging, you feel as though they are right beside you. They grab your hand and say, come along with me, this is going to be a hell of a ride. 

That’s a bit how the past few weeks have felt. An ending that came too soon. A friend we weren’t ready to say goodbye to. 

Mark Evan Saylor passed away unexpectedly on March 15, 2022.

Mark spread off the page and stepped out of the screen. His presence was palpable. He was there for a good time and made everyone feel like an old friend. He listened well and made you feel seen. 

His energy could fill a room but the words he found in quiet reflection could fill your heart. 

Mark was born on December 7, 1953, in Columbus Ohio to Mark Louis Saylor, MD and Catherine Anne Saylor of Upper Arlington. He graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1971, Hanover University (Beta Theta Pi fraternity) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976, and The Ohio State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1980.

Over the years, he was employed by various cardiac medical device firms and served as a field clinical representative, aiding in the surgical implementation of the first implantable cardiac defibrillators (Intec Systems Inc.). He was a medical device sales representative for Eli Lilly, Guidant, and Boston Scientific. Before his retirement in 2020, Mark was employed by OhioHealth Heart and Vascular as a Senior Device Specialist and was the Technical Director of the Implantable Device Clinic at Mary Rutan Hospital.

Mark had a heart of service from a young age, becoming an Eagle Scout in his youth and serving his church community in later years. Mark was a member of Vista Community Church, where he welcomed guests and members on Sunday mornings with his warm smile.

He loved the Buckeyes, the Blue Jackets, and a day on the golf course. He loved NASA, rockets, weather and space. He loved history, particularly, the American Civil War. More than anything, Mark loved his family, friends, and the Lord.

Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Annette J Saylor, daughter Megan M Saylor, and son Benjamin E Saylor, as well as two sisters, Catherine (Richard) Cheney, and Sarah Schrumpf. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David Zeph Saylor, MD.

How lucky are we to have known Mark? A character so great and big you normally only find them within the pages of a novel or on a movie screen. But we got to walk alongside Mark. We lived moments together that have become stories we tell. It ended too soon, but how fortunate were we to have held his hand? Thanks for bringing us along, Mark. It was quite a ride.

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A Celebration of Life will be held at Swan Lake Event Center, 5900 Liberty Rd N, in Powell, Ohio on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Visiting hours are 1:30-4 p.m. with a memorial service to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vista Community Church, PO Box 3278, Dublin, OH 43016, or online at www.vistacommunitychurch.org. Contributions can also be made to Young Life Capernaum (kids with disabilities) at Giving.younglife.org/columbuscapernaum.

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