Mark Cortland Whitney was born on July 30, 1950, in Omaha, NE. Joan and Eddie Whitney welcomed Mark into their home when he was three years old. He passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg at the age of 65.

Mark attended Norton public schools from kindergarten through graduation, with the exception of 6th and 7th grade, which he attended at Manhattan Catholic Schools. He graduated from Norton High School in 1968 and attended Kansas State University for two years. He then transferred to Washburn University, where he earned both a Bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor.

During law school, Mark interned for the Kansas Secretary of State. Following graduation from law school, Mark returned to Norton and worked at Scheetz Motor Company. He became a partner with Thelma Boatman at Boatman and Boatman Law Office. Eventually the legal practice became Whitney Law Office. It was a general legal practice and Mark derived his greatest enjoyment from helping others, particularly those who did not have adequate financial means or those most in need.

His generosity extended into the community, as he served on the Andbe Home board, as well as many other committees and boards throughout the community over the years. On November 24, 2007, Mark married Torre Linn Conway in Norton. Mark, as an active parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton, served in many capacities on church committees and church councils. He sang in the choir and was a very active member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a Fourth Degree Knight, and he held many offices, including that of Faithful Navigator. Mark was also a member of many professional organizations, including the Kansas Bar and Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, of which he had been an active board member.

In his leisure time, Mark enjoyed going to the lake, water skiing, and jet skiing. Mark also enjoyed spending time with his stepchildren and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother Joan and brother Kevin.

He is survived by his wife Torre of St. Francis, KS; father Eddie Whitney of Norton, KS; stepchildren Teresa Douthit (Tom Svoboda) of Junction City, KS, Chad Douthit (Tanya) of Basehor, KS, and Megan Douthit-Downey (Chuck Downey) of St. Francis, KS; grandchildren Lane Svoboda, Grant Slough, Oliver Douthit, Carter Downey, and Austin Downey; sister-in-law Marnie Whitney of Edgerton, KS; niece Marissa Niemeyer (Tony) of Edgerton, KS; nephew Elijah Whitney (Corrie Price) of Kansas City, MO; and numerous cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 9, 2016 in the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Norton, KS. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Cemetery, St. Francis, KS at 3:00 p.m.

A Scriptural Wake & Rosary will be conducted Sunday evening at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. The family will then receive friends until 8:30 p.m. at the church.

Mark will lie in state at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, from Noon until 9:00 p.m. Saturday and at the Catholic Church in Norton from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Norton Knights of Columbus or Washburn University School of Law, Mark C. Whitney Scholarship.