EDWARDSVILLE " Peter W. Marks, 78, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away peacefully at home on June 4, 2017.

Peter was born on December 30, 1938 in Cornwall, England to Herbert and Cynthia Moyse Marks. He married Elizabeth Adams on September 9, 2000. She survives and resides in Edwardsville, IL.

Also surviving are his children " Nick (Sarah) Marks of Chesham, England; Tamsin Marks of Norwich, England; Betsy (Gil) Davis of Cape Coral, FL; and William (Catherine) Marks of Chicago, IL; four grandchildren " Joe, Beth, Wren, and Alaina; sibling " Josephine (Paul) Dorman of Mevagissey, England; Nigel (Susan) Marks of Chichester, England; brother-in-law Michael Evans of Horsham, England; and sister-in-law Caroline Marks of Fowey, England.

His parents, one sister Wendy Evans, and one brother Christopher Marks preceded him in death.

Peter''s life in England was a rich one. His earliest years were spent watching the build up to the D-Day invasion from the eager eyes of a young boy and he recounted fondly his days spent roaming the pastures of his Uncle''s farm hunting rabbits and fishing for mackerel along the southern coast of Cornwall.

Peter''s middle years in England were spent near London, raising his children, managing his companies, and fly-fishing for trout every Thursday with fervent devotion.

Another child and marriage eventually led him to emigrate to the United States in 1992. He embraced his new life in America, promptly moving into a house surrounded by corn fields and cattle and buying an old pickup truck.

Peter was an engineer by training, but spent the final 10 years of his career as the tool manager at Sears Hardware in Edwardsville, IL. He found his true calling here, perhaps not in the sale of band saws or torque wrenches, but as the resident Englishman, quick with a joke or long with an ear for peoples'' lives, troubles, and interests. The many clerks and customers of the town''s grocery stores would likely agree.

Perhaps the most significant part of Peter''s later life was coming into his faith in Christ, a path on which he was guided by Trinity Lutheran Church. As an active member and Elder of the Church he found immense meaning and kinship.

Peter and his wife, Elizabeth, had recently decided to move to Florida to be close to their granddaughter, a move that would have brought new joy, but also great loss for his community in Edwardsville. In his final morning, he decided to stay.

SERVICE: A memorial service for Peter will be held on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 4:00pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville Rev. John Shank will officiate.

Additional condolences may also be sent to the family through this online guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith in Action, PO Box 255 Edwardsville, IL (618) 692-0480. Peter had served as a driver for FIA for elderly folks who needed a ride to the doctor or to the store.