Deacon Mark J. Westendorf of Cincinnati.  Beloved husband of 51 years to Mary Tom Westendorf.  Loving father of Jerome Robert (Shelley) Westendorf, Mary John (Nick) Niehaus, Heather Pauline Westendorf, Luke Joseph (Meg) Westendorf, Holly Marie Hensley, and David Joseph (Lauren) Westendorf.  Proud grandfather of Olivia, Samantha, Anna, Emily, Mark, Henry, Joseph, Selena, Jasmine, Liam, Abigail, Luke, and Jackson.  Cherished son of the late Jerome Elmer and Mary Pauline Westendorf.  Dear brother of Ann Hirt, Mary Scherl, Elizabeth Krebs, Thomas Westendorf, Jane Westendorf, and the late Edward Westendorf.   Passed away on December 23, 2025 at the age of 72.

A devoted husband and father, Mark lived a life rooted in love, service, and faith. Mark and Mary Tom were married in 1974, and by 1987 were blessed with six children that Mark loved dearly. The family moved to Cincinnati, where he served as the principal of Hopewell Elementary for twenty-three years. After a brief retirement, Mark became the Director of Outreach and Pastoral Care Ministry at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Mark was Ordained as a Deacon of the Catholic Church in 2010 and was grateful for the opportunities his diaconate service provided for performing baptisms, serving at weekly masses, and supporting multiple Outreach Initiatives and Pastoral Care Ministries. He has touched the lives of so many through his generosity, kindness, humor, compassion, and selflessness.

Family and friends will be received from 9:45 AM - 11:45 AM on Friday, January 2 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8815 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249, where Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 PM. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mark may be directed to Catholic Relief Services , PO Box 5278, Tipton, IA 52772-0517.