We are sad to announce that Mark Allen Buening, age 61, passed away on
February 6, 2023 at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is survived by his parents, Maurice
and Mary Jane Buening, his children, Rebecca, Amanda, Hannah, and Sarah Buening,
and three of his four siblings, Duane and Rick Buening and Julie Morris. He is preceded
in death by his brother, Dennis Buening.
Mark was known for his great intelligence and his meticulous work ethic. Born in
Greensburg, Indiana, Mark graduated salutatorian from Greensburg High School in 1980.
From there, he attended DePauw University, where he was a top student and president of
ATO fraternity, graduating in 1984. He completed his education with a Master’s in
International Relations and Economics at Georgetown University, graduating at the top of
his class in 1986. In his professional career, Mark worked for companies like McKinsey
and Ernst & Young as a consultant and strategic planner, which took him all over the
world. He helped to establish Ernst & Young’s global strategy from their (at the time)
new headquarters in London. Later, after surviving cancer, he worked in strategy at
places like Dell and the U.S. Navy before changing careers and working in food safety at
Graeter’s and Servatii’s.
Most notably, Mark was a loving and devoted father, husband, brother, son, and
friend. He built a strong and happy family with his ex-wife, Vera Da Silva, and he
relished his relationships with his parents and siblings, which only grew stronger towards
the end of his life. He will be remembered for his boundless generosity, his sensitivity to
the needs of others, and his commitment to social causes. For many years, Mark
volunteered substantial time and resources to serve his local communities, leading a
congregation in New York City, housing friends, loved ones, and interns in London, and
giving freely to those who struggled whenever he was able. He prided himself on being
genuine and honest, and he keenly appreciated the beauty and diversity of the world
around him, collecting artifacts, coins, books, culinary recipes, and wonderful stories
from his wide travels. We will miss his wisdom and his humor every day of our lives.
To honor Mark’s life and memory, a memorial gathering will be held at Porter-
Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home in Greensburg, Indiana on Tuesday, February 14 th at 4 p.m.
EST, followed by a service at 5 p.m. EST. Those who are able to are welcome to attend
in person, while those who cannot are invited to join through a Facebook Livestream,
which will begin at 5 p.m. EST.
If you would like to contribute to causes that were near and dear to Mark’s heart,
you can donate to one of the following charities: LiveStrong Cancer Foundation, Mental
Health Foundation, and The Trevor Project. Online condolences can be made to the
family at www.popfuneralhome.com