Chad A. Marking, age 42, of Eau Claire passed away suddenly on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Sacred Heart Hospital due to heart failure.

He was born in Green Bay, Wis., on August 22, 1967, the son of Ralph and Norma Marking. Chad attended school at Lowes Creek Elementary School and graduated from Memorial High School, both in Eau Claire. He spent his working life as a painter in Milwaukee and Eau Claire. He found his greatest satisfaction in remodeling and improving homes on Emery and Nimitz streets.

Even as a young child, he found it easy to converse with adults. At the age of four, he endeared himself to his Grandpa Marking by donning his uncle's work boots and jacket to help Grandpa and his Uncle Arne with dairy chores. As a teenager, he spent a summer on the farm seriously helping his Grandpa and Uncle. He loved the out-of-doors, especially camping and fishing. He was an avid skier and left his tracks at many ski areas in Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Rocky Mountains. He had a very soft spot in his heart for our four legged friends, especially dogs. His dog Reggie was his constant companion.

He is survived by is parents, Ralph and Norma (Borah) Marking of Eau Claire; a sister, Sara Fischer and her two sons, Alexander and Nikolas of Minneapolis; in addition he is survived and loved by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins of the Marking and Borah families; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carroll and Lenora Borah and Adolph and Esther Marking; and an uncle and aunt Carmon and Olga Borah.

A visitation for ALL family and friends will be held at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway (East Clairemont) in Altoona on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. A private memorial service will be held for immediate family and Chad's friends at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, 2009, at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel in Altoona with Pastor Kurt Jacobson of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. A private interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Valley Brook Church, Trinity Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor's choice. Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel of Altoona is serving the family.