Mark McElhaney

Mark McElhaney, age 81, native and lifetime resident of McMinn County, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025. He was a longtime member of Fairview Baptist Church where he served in the bus ministry and as a deacon for many years. Mark loved Camp Fairview and was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Gus and Hattie Golden McElhaney, his wife of 41 years: Carolyn Mason McElhaney, a daughter: Tina McElhaney Russell, sisters: Alma McElhaney Kile and Dorothy Mae McElhaney Henry, and his brothers: John Henry McElhaney and Joseph McElhaney.

Mark is survived by his wife of 21 years: Shirley Smith McElhaney, his children: April (Delbert) Taylor, Tony McElhaney, Joe (KariAn) McElhaney, Lorrie (Randy) Jones, Cindy (Tim) Frantz, Barbara (Tim) Wilhoit, Daird (Lori) Hobbs, Merrilee (Todd) Changet, and Jon Hobbs, grandchildren: Emily McElhaney, Jordan (Elizabeth) Taylor, Krista (Caleb) Hufferd, Cameron (Simeon) Renshaw, Joseph (Morgan) Taylor, Jayci Taylor, Sandy (Daniel) Fuller, Sindy McElhaney, Shane (Sidny) McElhaney, Andrew, Daniel Michael, Mitchell, and Rachel Jones, Andrew, Alex, and Alyssa Frantz, Wes, Katie, and Will Wilhoit, Marlee and Harris Hobbs, Daird, Andrew, Matthew and Benjamin Changet, and Sofie Hobbs, great-grandchildren: Knox, Opal, Taylor, Carson, and Riley, a sister: Elizabeth “Betsy” Custer and a brother: Arthur (Eileen) McElhaney. 

The family will receive friends at Fairview Baptist Church in Athens from 5:00 until 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 6:30 PM at the church with Pastor Jack Scallions and Pastor Matt Herrell officiating. Graveside services will be held at Sunrise Cemetery in Englewood at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Jordan Taylor, Daniel Fuller, Shane McElhaney, Caleb Hufferd, Simeon Renshaw, and Alex Frantz will serve as pallbearers

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to Camp Fairview in care of Fairview Baptist Church 261 County Road 439 Athens,TN 37303

You are invited to sign the online registry at www.zieglerfuneralhome.com

Ziegler Funeral Home has been entrusted with serving the family of Mark McElhaney.