Mark Edward Zirkelbach

Mark Edward Zirkelbach, age 68, of Evansville, Indiana, who also spent time living and working in Southern California, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 23, 2026. Mark was born on February 17, 1957, in Evansville, Indiana, to Elmer Zirkelbach and Lucille (Drone) Zirkelbach, who both hailed from southern Illinois. Mark was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Joy, Jan, Richard “Zeke,” and Debbie, and by his father-in-law, Robert Wagner. He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Zirkelbach (Wagner); his children Zach (Erin) Zirkelbach, Lynnsey (Eric) Miller, and Emily Zirkelbach; his four cherished grandchildren, Carter, Elliot, Lennon, and Lucy, who brought him immeasurable joy and by his mother-in-law, Carol Wagner. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rev. Christopher Droste officiating. Friends may visit with the family at Pierre Funeral Home on Thursday, February 5, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. that evening. Friends may also visit with the family from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mark lived a life defined by purpose, humility, adventure, and deep relationships. A lifelong lover of the outdoors, he found his truest joy on the trail—especially in the mountains of the West. Through the Trans-Sierra Challenge (TSX), Mark completed numerous multi-day treks, including Mount Whitney, the Escalante Route of the Grand Canyon, Tehipite Valley, and many others. Known affectionately by his trail name, “Maverick,” Mark embodied the spirit of quiet leadership, resilience, and steady encouragement that inspired others to push beyond their limits. Beyond the mountains, Mark built strong communities wherever he went. He was a devoted member of his workout boot camp family, competed in multiple DEKA competitions, and formed lasting friendships through shared effort and mutual support. Whether in the gym, on the trail, or over a cup of coffee, Mark had a rare ability to connect—calm, sincere, witty, and always present. Professionally, Mark built a distinguished career in healthcare leadership. A graduate of Mater Dei High School and the University of Evansville, he spent several years in Evansville working for Daughters of Charity, now known as Ascension Health, before continuing his career in Southern California. For the last 18 years, Mark served as Chief Information Officer at Loma Linda Medical Center, where he built a lasting legacy of leadership, innovation, and integrity. More than a transformational CIO, Mark was a mentor, teammate, and trusted advisor who navigated enterprise-wide challenges with clarity and vision. His humanity, his steadiness, warmth, and genuine care for people—left the deepest impression. In recent years, he also began teaching leadership courses at the university level, extending his passion for mentorship to the next generation. Mark was many things at once: a thoughtful executive, an early-morning workout partner, a proud Midwesterner and Indiana University fan, and a friend who could seamlessly shift from discussing technology strategy to sharing life stories. He was multidimensional, grounded, and endlessly genuine. Mark’s calm presence and sincere humor left a positive mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He was a husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend whose influence will continue through the countless lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

Mark Edward Zirkelbach

February 17, 1957 - January 23, 2026