Mark "Tunes" Dunn Emery

Mark “Tunes” Emery died on November 3, 2023 a few weeks shy of his 70th birthday.

Mark’s journey in life began on December 17, 1953 in an American Army Airforce field hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany while his father Lewis Emery was stationed in Europe. Mark had issues all of his life trying to explain to authorities why he was an American citizen who had a German birth certificate. Mark spent his earliest months in Bordeaux, France making trips to the beaches with his parents. After his father’s deployment ended, Mark’s family arrived in the US via the SS United States and moved to Neenah, Wisconsin. In Neenah Mark made lifelong friends spending many hours playing on Elm Street.

The family then moved to Waverly, Pennsylvania, and Mark benefited from some incredible and lifelong friendships that endured to this day. It was at this time that Mark picked up the nickname “Tunes” because of his knowledge and love of popular music. From this point forward, Mark counted himself as one of Jimmy Buffet’s greatest fans. 

In 1971 Mark graduated from Abington Heights Senior high school in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Mark graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh in 1975 with a B.S. in Political Science, for which he was extremely proud. After college Mark ended up moving to Muscatine, Iowa to be nearer to his sister, Ellen.

Mark was a very giving person. While he never married or had any children he greatly loved his family and they loved him in return. His life was focused on friendships, fellowship and living life on his own terms surrounded by his beloved music, the Packers, brats, and the people he cared about.

Mark is survived by his sister, Ellen (Paul) Emery Johnson, step siblings Julie (Jeff) Dunlap, Ted Steller, and Tim (Melanie) Steller. Mark leaves behind his nieces, Frances (Doran) Steele and their three children Adelaide, Imogen and Alina, and Bailey (Saif) Kasten Khan and their two children, Khalil and Sabina. Mark also leaves behind his besties, Al Hurxthal, Roxanne Beckman, and Monny and Jo Hjerstedt. Mark was predeceased by his mother, Jane Cavey, née Dunn and her husband, William Cavey, and his father, Lewis Emery and his wife, Delores Emery.

Mark will be greatly missed. He never made it to Margaritaville, but chances are great he is there now with Jimmy Buffet. Fins Up!

Visitation for Tunes will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. with a time of sharing and remembrance to be held at 6:30 P.M. at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services in Muscatine, Iowa.  Following the visitation, near 7:15 P.M. please join the family in raising a glass to Tunes down at the Missipi Brew.  Donations can be made in memory of Mark to St Jude’s Children Research Hospital, of which he was a very giving and loyal supporter.

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