Mark Ladnow "Marko" was promoted to glory on Friday, March 17, 2006 at the age of 50. He died at the Cleveland Clinic with complication from diabetes. Born in Cincinnati, OH he came to Canton to earn his degree in Sociology at Malone College; later licensed to practice social work. Mark was program director at the YMCA and camp director for their camp Telpahawk. Story telling was his forte but the youth loved his creative camp songs and skits making camp a rich, unforgettable experience. While working for the Canton Salvation Army, he created a program called POGO an acronym for people of God. He helped influence dozens of youth at that critical time when they are developing their identity; forming the foundation for the rest of their lives. Marks greatest gift was teaching lifes God given fundamental truths in every profession he held. Mark led by example working his way up through the ranks of Pathway youth network. For 18 years Mark helped hundreds of youth in juvenile recovery programs with a personal touch that often included a relationship that continued with them into adulthood. His calm demeanor with youth who couldn't control their anger crossed barriers that others could not. Most recently he was program director for the MRDD unit at Canton Health Care Center. He treated each special person with love tailored for their needs and considered them his family. Mark's other kids were his dearly loved pets. Their special relationship superceded normal boundaries. Mark obtained an uncanny ability to communicate with animals. Mark attended Simpson United Methodist Church. He enjoyed bowling, and was an avid gamer; rated in chess and scrabble. Mark was extremely well read and a connoisseur of movies able to quote spontaneously from a wide range of screenwriters and authours. He could tell you the name of every actor and the character they portrayed. He had the pleasure of having met Helen Steiner Rice and Madeliene L'Engle. His passion was singing the Lords praises with a rich tenor, his voice also spanned the airways as KB8MHQ belonging to the Canton Amateur Radio Club. He so enjoyed "rag chewing" with people all over the world. He started most days with the fellowship of his breakfast cronies traveling different restaurants for the last 12 years. He is survived by his wife he dearly loved of 17 years Barbara (Lambirth) Ladnow, his mother-in-law Amy Lambirth: brother Mike, sisterMicki Lee of Cincinnati, her four sons and many dear friends, Mark at 6'8" was physically a big man with the heartfelt spirit of a giant, always ready with humor to brighten your day. He had no desire for material possessions but lived for a spiritual realm. Every person that Mark's life touched called him a friend. He will be deeply missed. A celebration of Mark's life will be on Sunday, March 26, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. in the Spiker-Foster-SHRIVER Funeral Home 710 Tuscarawas St., W. with Rev. John Clark officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 12 Noon to 300 P.M. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Canton Health Care Center MRDD Unit c/o Jeff Davis 1223 Market Ave., N. Canton, OH 44714