Mr. C. Mark Wimer, 93, of Franklin, WV passed away Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Pendleton Manor in Franklin.

Born August 1, 1923 at Franklin, WV, he was the son of the late John Wimer and Lena Lambert Wimer. Mark was a 1940 graduate of Franklin High School and a Veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, seeing duty in Italy and Kansas.

On October 12, 1946, he married Wilma Eye Wimer. They continued to live on the family farm where Mark grew up, raising cattle and operating a respectable broiler-growing operation over a three decade period for Wampler, Fred Burgoyne & John Hott, Southern States (managed by Fred Williams) and Rockingham Poultry. He also managed "Red" Kline's garage, looking up to "Red" like a father.

For about six years during annual fire season, Mark headed up the forest fire patrol in the county for the state Division of Forestry.  He was employed by Westvaco from 1966 until 1987, working first as a collection woodyard manager in Broadway, VA and in 1970, he became forest technician for the tri-county area.

In 1970, he joined the American and the WV Tree Farm System, winning the WV Tree Farmer of the Year award in 1979.  In 1980, he was selected from 2,200 tree farmers from six eastern states to become the tree farmer of the year for the entire Middle Atlantic region. Mark was the first West Virginian to earn this recognition. In a letter written on behalf of Mark's candidacy for regional Tree Farmer of the Year, it was stated "Mr. Wimer is one of West Virginia's best.  As an individual, he is one of our finest".

From 1991 until 2012, he and his wife, Wilma, maintained a very successful Christmas tree farm, producing 1,400 trees annually during the holiday season.

Mark was proud of his memberships in the WV Forestry Association, American Tree Farm System and the WV Farm Bureau, and was chairman of the county Republican Party for several years.  He was a dedicated member of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.

When his loving wife of 67 years became ill, Mark cared for her at their home until her death on October 25, 2013. A son, Larry Mark Wimer, and a sister, Ruby Shaffer, also preceded him in death.

Surviving are –

One daughter & son-in-law -

Sheila and Eldon Rexrode of Franklin

Two grandchildren –

Heather Hanna and Travis (& Sophie) Rexrode

And two great-granddaughters –

McKenna Hanna and Laikyn Hanna.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, April 27 in the Chapel of the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin with Pastor Mike Loudermilk officiating.

Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin.

Memorials may be made to Mountain Hospice, P. O. Box 416, Franklin, WV  26807 or Pendleton Manor, P. O. Box 700, Franklin, WV  26807.