Obituary of Mark Daniel Brennan

Mark Daniel Brennan, 50 of Columbia passed away peacefully in his sleep at Lexington Medical Center on Friday July 1, 2022 after 13 years of courageously battling cancer.  He was born on December 6, 1971, the son of Thomas Brennan and Shirley Hawkins Brennan Steenbergen.  He was the youngest of their 6 children.

He was predeceased by his great grandparents Poppie Rinker of Orange, CA and Frances King of Buffalo, NY, grandmother Peggy King, aunts Christine Bennett and Frances Botham, father Thomas Brennan, sisters Susan Elizabeth Brennan and Karen Ann Brennan both of Columbia stepfather Jack Steenbergen and best friend Ryan Chadwell.

He is survived by his mother Shirley Steenbergen of Columbia, sons Blake and Taylor (Cory) of Union, SC , daughter Ashley of Columbia, brother Timothy John Brennan of Augusta, GA, sisters Patricia Ann Brennan Faltin of Columbia and Beth Ellen Brennan Mullins (Wayne) of Pelion, SC and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.  (Mark’s sister Patricia passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 8 days after Mark’s death.)

In Mark’s own words he wrote: “Please do not cry for me.  I’m resting now, not exactly sure how it happened, but hey, we knew that it was coming.  I graduated from Irmo High School and enrolled at Johnson and Wales University in Charleston and majored in Culinary Arts.

I then answered a call to service in the United States Air Force.  Although I enlisted in the USAF, I found myself in such a variety of units and assignments that I never found time to have any regrets.  In my career in the service, I was afforded many opportunities to travel not only in the United States, but in the World, many times over.  I enjoyed the opportunities that the service had to offer to me, in fact there was about a 7 year stint that I never said the word NO when it came to deployments and TDYs.

I was awarded many titles and distinctions during my 13 year career including two Purple Heart awards and a Bronze Star award, but that wasn’t what drove me.  I did have more fun than I probably should have had, but I wanted to make a difference.  I was taught at a very young age that if you leave someone just a little bit better than they were when you met them, that you had a good day.  I wanted to do that in my life.  I also wanted to travel.  I did that, too, and am proud to say that I did actually get to all 50 of the United States.

I tried to live my life with a big heart and a broad perspective.  I may not have done everything right, but I did some things proficiently enough.  I tried to do it all and to do it all right, but I couldn’t.  I don’t think that any of us ever could, but do me a favor; Try your best every day to find the good in everyone you ever meet.  I’m not saying that you will find any, but if you try, I think that JC will continue to smile on you.”

Funeral services, with military honors, will be conducted by Rev. Beth Faulk and Rev. John Culp at 3:00 pm on Sunday July 17, 2022 at Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church.  The family will receive friends at 2:00 pm in the Welcome Center of the church. 

Mark requested that in lieu of flowers, if you want to make a donation to help some person or organization, please do, or memorials may be sent to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, because she knows who needs the most help, of Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, 1500 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC  29210-7302.

Website for Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church  https://www.virginiawingardumc.com/