Mark F Gudorf

Mark Frederick Gudorf
Beloved son, brother, nephew, friend, Mark Frederick Gudorf, began his sacred rest on
June 30, 2025. He was born on December 24, 1989, in Kettering Memorial Hospital
when his family was living in Miamisburg, Ohio, He already had a big sister, Caron, who
was 12 years older and enjoyed being his “second mom.” Caron would hold Mark on
her back and dance to rap and hip/hop tunes. Two years later, Chris, the little brother,
was born on December 14, 1991. With these December birthdays, Christmas traditions
changed.

The creche was displayed empty, until Chris placed the angel on his birthday. It was
Mark’s birthday until Christmas eve services were over and when returning home, he
placed baby Jesus in the manger. Caron placed the Wisemen on her birthday, January
5th , just before Epiphany. Yes, everyone was sick of cake by January.

When the Gudorfs lived in Northern Kentucky, their home was the kid drop off station, a
place to wait for a ride or the school bus and enjoy a good breakfast. Mark had
discovered his passion, gaming; not just with video games, but board games too. He
had several chess sets, but he didn’t play chess. Instead, he made up games to play on
the chess boards with the chess pieces. His creativity was such that the kids came
early, just to be there with Mark and Chris, and learn his latest fun, made-up game.
Eventually Uncle Wes did teach Mark the rules of chess.

When Cal Klumb became a family member, he and Mark became the “Dynamic Duo.”
They often had long discussions on all kinds of topics, including Confirmation lessons
where Cal would use sports analogies (to Mark’s chagrin). Mark was eager to have
serious talks with Cal, as he wanted to understand, and then explain things to other
folks to help them understand for themselves. Cal and Mark liked to be present in the
same space, where sometimes they just enjoyed being together and didn’t need to talk.
Mark always participated in Church youth groups, as a member of Immanuel UCC (St.
Bernard) youth group, guesting with the Oxford Presbyterian Church youth group,
attending UCC annual Fall Youth Event, bi-annual UCC National Youth Event, SONKA
meetings (where he was the unofficial photographer), Ohio Annual Gatherings, and
UCC General Synod. Mark knew dozens of pastors; he had a natural comfort level with
pastors and lay people alike.

He was not only a very shy and true “people person,” but was also loving to and loved
by all kinds of critters. His first pet, Midnight the cat, was followed by several adopted
neighborhood cats in Kentucky. In Oxford he had three birds, the parakeet Nate the
Great, and cockatiels Taz and Alex (each and all would be found perched on his
shoulders), followed by Lucky (the anxiety-ridden stray dog who’s crate he’d sleep next
to), Chairus (his giant cat who adopted him on the front porch), and the latest LC (the
cat we couldn’t help but take in). When he moved to Columbus, nothing changed as he
and Uriah’s roomies, Britney and Jarred, cats and dogs loved to be around Mark, even
sneaking in whenever the door was opened or the gate was down.

In the 8th grade, Mark joined the marching band, following in big sis Caron’s footsteps,
but Mark technically didn’t play an instrument! Nonetheless, he was welcomed to join in
and those were some of the best years of his life. As it was, he learned as a member of
“the PIT” and playing with other groups like orchestra and musicals, he was gifted and
could play just about any instrument he picked up or sat down with; piano, guitar, bass,
drums, timpani, and more. He was also a composer of music with a wonderful singing
voice. He was honored to sit in with Joe Folz’s group whenever he could.

Mark had a creative mind and loved a good story. He was a great storyteller and a good
story listener. Perhaps that’s why he was loved and surrounded by people. One of his
friends described his and Uriah’s dorm room as the people magnet, the “place to be” at
Shawnee State. He and the best friend he made there, Uriah Brown, remained
connected long after college, and Uriah became Mark’s OLB (other little brother)
adopted and loved by his family.

Mark was a loyal friend and seemed always to have a bestie along with the other
friends. His first was born just two years after him, his little brother, Chris. As a two-year-
old toddler, his name for him was “Kiffers” because Christopher was a bit much for him
to pronounce. The two guys weren’t a whole lot alike in their tastes and hobbies (except
gaming!) which may be why they remained so close. His first non-family buddy was
Steven Reece who lived five doors down in Kentucky. They were inseparable
throughout grade school. When he moved to Oxford in middle school, Drew Allison
became his best. They hung out and walked home together and stayed friends after
graduation. Drew’s parents, Debbie and Chris, were Mark’s parents-away-from-parents,
giving him a place at their kitchen table for homework and space to hang out with Drew,
especially when little brother, Chris, had to be in the hospital. He felt heard and loved
and respected by the whole family.

When Mark graduated from Talawanda, he realized he wanted to major in Gaming,
something he loved and wanted to make his life’s work. From the time he was a little
kid, Mark was a “creator.” He loved all sorts of tabletop role-playing games, especially
Dungeons & Dragons, where his creativity and love of storytelling came alive around the
table with friends. He connected to many through those shared adventures, spinning
stories that wove laughter, camaraderie, and imagination together.

Generous, kind, and present was the way Mark was described by his friends and family.
He was the best Christmas gift his mom, Carol, ever received, presented to her and, of
course, big sister, Caron, not wrapped in the usual receiving blanket, but in a giant,
white Christmas stocking. He gave Carol and Chris another loving gift when he moved
back home in what would turn out to be his last year. They hung out together and
talked. It was a precious time of getting to know each other again.

Mark will always be remembered for his loyalty, care for others, ability to listen, and his
laughter. People trusted him as a friend, even if that friendship was new to them both.
He lived and loved well.

Mark was preceded in death by his grandfather, Pete Gudorf (2006),
uncle, Rob Lovett (2008), stepbrother, Sasha Pozdnyakov (2019),
grandmother, Vera Gudorf (2020), grandmother, Mary Newhouse (2020),
and his BD (Bonus Dad) Cal Klumb (2023).

He is survived by his siblings; Caron MacPherson, Chris Gudorf, Anton Gudorf,
stepbrother Matt (Sandi) Klumb, and OLB, Uriah Brown, Caron’s children, Kira (August
Bannister) Bush, Kloe Bush, Kane Bush, Dax White, Matt and Sandi’s children, Jonah
Klumb, Sydney Klumb, Tristan Klumb, aunts; Mary (Craig) Sutton, Barb (Steve)
Hannesson, Jane Lovett, uncles; Dick (Nancy) Gudorf, Wes (Dolly) Newhouse, cousins, David Newhouse, Sara
Newhouse, Molly Sutton (Shawn) Stull, Kate Sutton, Andy Sutton, Ross Gudorf,
Daniel Gudorf, Matthew Gudorf, Daniel Hannesson, Eric Hannesson, David Hannessan,
Stephanie Hannesson, and Sarah Hannesson, grandfather; Del Newhouse, and
parents; Carol Klumb, Bill (Sveta) Gudorf.

A celebration of life for Mark will be October 25th , at Oxford Presbyterian Church. The
private committal ceremony and interment will begin at 3:15 p.m. at the Memorial
Church (101 North Main St, Oxford, OH) followed immediately at 4:00 p.m. by a life
celebration at the Seminary Church (104 E Church St, Oxford, OH). The celebration is
casual and will be a time to share the stories that Mark loved so much. All are welcome.
Donations may be made to the Talawanda School March Band, in honor of Mark
Gudorf. A scholarship is being set up.

Please direct questions to Mark’s mom, Carol Klumb, carol.klumb@gmail.com,
513-330-2387.

As Mark would say, “Be well, I’ll see you when I see you.”

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