Lt. Col. Mark Lance Tyler

[ironputts]

11/21/2023

Lt. Col. Mark Lance Tyler
181st Composite Squadron
Indiana Wing

Mark Lance Tyler
10/20/1949 - 11/07/2023

An exciting life is to dream, to continue to challenge yourself with the hope of a new adventure. No one knew this better than Mark Tyler, who filled his life with dreams and new adventures at every turn. His journey began on a farm in Kansas, Illinois, where he helped his father build a new farm and then his grandfather run one of the largest and most successful dairy farms in Paris, IL. A capable man, he was never prouder than when he was serving his community and country. At age 18, Mark joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. After his military service, Mark put his skills as a civil engineer to work in helping design and survey the stretch of Interstate-70 from Marshall, Illinois, to the Indiana State line. He served as a Sheriff's Deputy for both Clark County, Illinois, and Vermillion County, Indiana, a volunteer firefighter in Clinton, IN and Oliver Township, IL, a volunteer for Search and Rescue operation for Vermillion County, IN, and was an active member of the Mason's and Shriner's. He later retooled himself in studying Organizational Management at Oakland City University and Cyber-Security through the Government Information Leadership Master's Program at National Defense University. He continued to grow into his career as a tenured leader with the U.S. Air Force as a Deputy Homeland Security Officer and Construction Management Specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He served as a Guard and worked his way up the ranks deactivating chemical weapons stored at the Newport, IN chemical demilitarization plant. Finally, Mark led the Cyber-Security Division for the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives to safely decommission chemical weapons stored at the Bluegrass Army Depot in Kentucky. Like most things Mark did, he came loaded with education, skill, and passion. Mark was an excellent pilot and proudly served as a volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol for over 20 years where he was a valued and active member mentoring and training hundreds of recruits for career in the United States Air Force and as pilots worldwide. It would not be unusual to find Mark on a shooting range, underwater in scuba gear, enjoying a long ride on a boat in the ocean, spending countless hours on the farm, surveying land for a friend, golfing, dancing, playing the guitar, or in a flight suit flying a Cessna. From diving into the depths of the ocean waters to flying high above the clouds, Mark felt the strongest connection to his roots as a farmer. After retiring, he was never more excited to reconnect to his family farm where his journey began. Mark is survived by his wife, Sharon Tyler; sister, Karen Gieselman; sons, David "Scotty" Tyler (April Tyler), Michael Tyler (Jessica Michelle-Tyler), Derrick Cash (Shana Cash), Brendon Cash (April Cash); daughters, Alecia Cash (Hunter Buchannon), and Tracie Ann West Tyler Bridges; grandchildren, Stephanie Brockett (plus 3 great -grandsons), Shelby Davis (plus 2 great-grandsons), Brianna Tyler, Kyah Chaney, Caitlin Branham, Ashlin Woods, Michael Tyler, Makiyah Tyler, Sarah Tyler, Lois Cash, Daniel Cash, Ariana Cash, Ava Cash, Nolan Harrison, Declan Cash, Liam Cash, Athena Buchannon, and Adalyn Buchannon; and nephews Graham and Jordan Gieselman. In the end, surrounded by loved ones, Mark was honored with a pinning ceremony to acknowledge his unwavering commitment to service. During this service, Lt Col Reggie Paul honored Mark with this farewell, "During all missions flown, we have altitude restrictions. On this final mission, Mark, you have no altitude restrictions." It is with hearts of gratitude that we say farewell to this great man We love you, Mark Tyler. Godspeed.