Dr. Gary E. Mauk, chiropractic physician, passed at home October 3, lovingly surrounded by his wife and children, 7 months to the day after his beloved mother passed. Gary was born December 16, 1948, to the late Dr. Harry E. and Norma (Birchem) Mauk, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Dr. Gary attended Pearl St. Elementary School. Half way thru the 6th grade, Gary’s parents moved the family into the Pleasant School District, where Gary graduated in 1967.
Gary was very active in sports, where he excelled in football, basketball and track four years, and also played baseball 3 years. During his freshman year, under Coach Don Kay, he took over the quarterback duties, and started as a quarterback for the next three years. Gary made the North Central Conference 1st team two years and was captain of the football team his senior year and won honorable mention on both the AP and UPI All-Ohio teams. Gary was named ‘most valuable defensive back’ in 1965 and ‘most valuable defensive lineman and offensive back’ his senior year. As a star basketball player, under Coach Stan Kirby, he played center and was the leading scorer and rebounder as a junior and was team captain, most valuable player & member of the All-County 1st Team. As the 2nd highest scorer in the NCC, he was named 1st Team All-Conference. Gary was Teenager of the Month his senior year and on the National Honor Society his junior and senior years.
Gary received an academic and athletic scholarship to play football at Kent State University, where he played for two years. At the end of his 2nd year at Kent State, Gary decided he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Harry E. Mauk, and become a chiropractor.
Gary proposed to his high school sweetheart, Colleen Moore, and they married June 21, 1969. That Fall, they moved to Chicago to attend the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL where he graduated in May of 1973 and moved back to Marion to go into practice with his father. Gary received a letter from Dr. Harold Parrott congratulating him on the highest score any chiropractor had received in Ohio up to 1973 on the Ohio examination. After their father retired in 1993, Gary and his younger brother, Dr. David, continued practicing together until Gary’s recent retirement August 31, 2014 due to his ill health.
Dr. Gary had that ‘special touch’ and was often referred to by many as Dr. Magic Hands. With his quiet demeanor & gentle manner, he was able to put his patients at ease. He truly was blessed with a gift. He looked forward to going to work every day and his patients loved him for his care and caring ways. Dr. Gary had a friendly smile and a twinkle in his eye, ready to play pranks on his brother and staff at the office. Family members would often call to come to the house to have Gary adjust them, and at family gatherings, they would line up for his special magical touch, and he was always willing no matter the day or time. If an elderly patient or someone truly in pain could not make it in to the office, he would go to their house instead to help them.
There could not be a kinder, more caring, compassionate, understanding, non-judgmental and loving father than Gary was to his beautiful children and grandchildren, which he cherished and gave so much of his time to throughout his life. They lit up his world and were everything to them, and he was everything to them. He could do no wrong in their eyes and they never wanted to find out he was disappointed in them. He was the perfect father and high on their pedestal! He was a devoted husband, son, brother and brother-in-law, as well. Anyone who knew him, loved him.
Dr. Gary was a member of the Marion Rotary Club, Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, The Ohio State Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Association, Marion Palace Theatre, among others, and was a member of Crosswoods U. M. Church.
Dr. Gary leaves behind his loving wife of 45 years, Colleen (Moore) Mauk; children Heather (Eric) Muhlenthaler of Lewis Center,OH; Amber (Todd) Korn of Dublin,OH; and Dustin (Nicole) Mauk of Columbus,OH; grandchildren Casey and Cara Muhlenthaler and Logan and Ryder Korn; one sister, Sandy (Jerry) Yager, brothers Dr. David E. (Kim) Mauk and Tim (Vickie) Mauk, all of Marion, along with many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at Crosswoods United Methodist Church, 1551 Richland Road, Marion from 4PM to 7PM; Memorial services will be held on Thursday at the church at 11AM with Pastor Joe Ziraldo officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Crosswoods U.M. Church 1551 Richland Rd., Marion, OH, The Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St. or to the donor’s choice.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to be serving Dr. Gary’s family and your condolences may be expressed to his family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
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