Mineral Point - Mark J. "Marky" Basting, age 60, of Mineral Point, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2023, at Sunnyside East in Dodgeville, WI, surrounded by his loving family.

Mark was born on August 29, 1962, to Jack and Doris Basting. He attended Dodgeville Schools and finished in 1984. After school, he spent most days patrolling the streets on the south side of Mineral Point on his bicycle, making sure that his part of town was safe. Later in life he worked at Hodan Community Services, an organization which was created in large part due to his parents, who advocated for Mark's rights as an individual with Downs Syndrome. The experience of working at Hodan was one that gave him value and self-worth at a time when he needed it most.

Marky had a great love for the outdoors. He thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Special Olympics, competing twice in Stevens Point, WI in both the softball toss (shot put) and sprinting. His love for swimming developed during his lessons with Ruth Mitchell at an early age. He loved fishing at Finkelmeyer's bridge and once tried to walk on water while fishing with his brother, John. If the car was going somewhere, Marky was in it. Mark absolutely loved going for drives with his family and especially loved when they would stop for a burger or ice cream! He attended countless Brewers and Badgers games, even though he cheered for the Cubs and Hawkeyes. Mark loved being in parades; whether riding in a police car, fire truck or in a convertible. One of his shining moments was when he accompanied his parents as Parade Marshalls during the Homecoming Parade in Mineral Point.

He was everyone's best friend and to know him was truly a gift to everyone who crossed paths with him. He taught us that kindness and patience were more important that all the other things that we get busy with in our lives. His love for family, friends and sports was unmatched. He was well-known for his loud cheering at every home Pointer game and giving high fives to all the players as they came down the steps at the old football field in Mineral Point. He was a fixture at Soldier's Memorial Park where he played slow pitch softball and cheered on all Mineral Point teams. Every ball player…and their wives, knew who Mark Basting was! He most likely owns the record for most inside-the-park homeruns and will go down as the greatest slow pitch catcher in the history of the park!

Music gave Mark an outlet to express himself to those around him. Whether it was performing a rock concert for his nieces and nephews in the basement of the family home or serenading whichever "pretty woman" that he encountered at the ballpark, Marky certainly knew how to put on a show. There are very few that could execute the air guitar with his skill and enthusiasm!

Mark was a lifelong member of Ss. Mary and Paul Catholic Church in Mineral Point, WI. You could count on him sitting in his spot in the back row, ready and willing to serve as usher during mass. Mark also served as an altar server when he was younger and was a steady presence in the church throughout his life.

Mark is survived by his siblings, Colleen "Ween" Weier, Mineral Point, WI.; John (Kelly) Basting, Boyd, Texas; Maureen "Reen" Kolwicz (Denny Sporle), Mineral Point, WI.; Teresa "Twe Twe" MacGilvra, Mineral Point, WI.; Kent MacGilvra, Mineral Point, WI; Nieces and Nephews, Jason "J-Boo" (Kanndie) Basting, Erin (Adam) Weil, Emily and Jackson Basting, Dylan, Valentyna and Trevor MacGilvra; four Great Nieces and Nephews, Bella and Brooklyn Basting; Lincoln and Griffin Weil; special cousin (more like a brother) Larry "22" Schmitz.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Doris Basting along with infant niece, MacKenzie MacGilvra.

Mark was a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, teammate, and friend. His passion for life lives on through all who were blessed to know him, and we are all better people because of him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2023, at Ss. MARY & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH in Mineral Point. Fr. David Flanagan will officiate. Burial will be held in St. Paul's Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2023, at Ss. MARY & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH. A luncheon will be served immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hodan Community Services in Mineral Point.