Mark Cramer, 70, of Edwardsburg, Michigan passed away October 7th, 2025, in the comfort of his own home accompanied by the love and support of his family after an unexpected battle with esophageal cancer.
Born to James and Rosemary Cramer in June of 1955, he was raised in Park Forest, Illinois where he often enjoyed playing baseball and spending time with his friends. At the age of seven he took the Illinois Central Line from the south suburbs to James’ office at Leo Burnett in downtown Chicago. There he was introduced to the world of advertising where James’ colleagues happily showed Mark their drawings of Tony the Tiger and Jolly Green Giant. In his own words, “I was hooked!” He played football at and graduated from Rich Central High School and soon after began a long career in advertising. He first started work as a layout artist at Marshall Field and Company in downtown Chicago. He went on to work for several notable advertising agencies, before starting his own web development business, Beyond Big Marketing.
Mark would later move to Oak Park, Illinois where he spent a great deal of time with his son Eric Cramer who was born in March of 1995. Mark spent three years coaching his son’s little league baseball games and many more years crisscrossing the country with his son in their teardrop tab trailer. Mark aspired to create as many fond memories with his son as possible, and to that end he thoroughly succeeded. Mark often enjoyed golfing, cookouts, sports, and surrounding himself with the loving and caring people in his life. His authenticity and warmness brought out the best in every single person he met.
He carried this very same energy with him to Edwardsburg, Michigan in August of 2015. There he used Beyond Big Marketing to serve the Michiana area by offering affordable web development services to small businesses throughout the community. Edwardsburg offered him a fresh start, and he often spoke about how good the community was to him. He treasured the friendship of many Edwardsburg residents and was looking forward to having coffee at the soon to be completed new library.
Mark was preceded in death by his father James Cramer Sr., mother Rosemary Cramer, brother William Cramer, and sister in law Barbara Cramer . He is survived and dearly missed by his son Eric Cramer, sister Suzanne Cordes, brother-in-law Jon Cordes, brother James Cramer Jr., sister-in-law Stephanie Cramer, and countless more family and friends whose lives he enriched. He will be missed.
