29-Year-Old Minooka Teacher Dies After Brain Cancer Battle

MINOOKA, IL — A Minooka teacher and coach has died after a battle with brain cancer.

Mark Smith, who taught Geology at Minooka Community High School and coached track and field, died Nov. 9 at Joliet Area Community Hospice at the age of 29, according to The Herald-News.

Smith grew up in Channahon and excelled in basketball, baseball and track. He was a 2005 graduate of MCHS and attended the University of Illinois, where he received a teaching degree, according to the report.

Smith leaves behind a wife, Jess, and two daughters, Cora and Livia.

Services will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Village Christian Church, located at 8965 S. Bell Road in Minooka. A student prayer service will be held at the same place Sunday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.

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