Mark David Kahler

November 28, 1957 - December 9, 2020

**UPDATED 3/1/2021** - A Celebration of Life for Mark will be held on Sunday, March 7th at 1:30pm EST. While the family will be gathering in person in limited numbers due to COVID-19 precautions, we welcome you to share in his service to help lift up his memory with joy. The service will be streamed live, details available here: https://fb.me/e/OVfLfQrN --- Mark David Kahler, of Bowie, Maryland, left us peacefully on December 9, 2020. Born in Washington D.C. on November 28, 1957 to Mark and Teresa Kahler, Mark was the middle of three children. As the loving and protective brother, Mark grew up in Berkshire and was both an altar boy at Mount Calvary Catholic Church and active member of the Boys and Girls Club of District Heights. Upon graduating Suitland High School, Mark went on to attend the University of Maryland and began a 32 year career as a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400. Following his retirement from Giant Food, Mark returned to school and completed his Advanced Accounting degree at University of Maryland University College in 2007. He embarked on a second chapter as an auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency, recently retiring in June 2020 after a 13 year career. Life as a devoted husband and father began when he moved to Bowie in 1981 and married his wife of 39 years, Kristine (Shoap) Kahler. Soon to follow, his daughters Lindsay Kathleen and Ashley Teresa were born, and they all became the loves of his life. His gracious heart and work ethic created many lasting memories for his entire extended family as he became the Father Christmas that everyone looked forward to spending time with. Mark’s simple pleasures reflected a life in balance. He could often be found walking around the local pond, affectionately dubbed “Kahler pond”, enjoying a sunset on the piers of the Outer Banks, or simply gathering around a meal with family. Mark enjoyed many years of playing basketball and softball and was an avid Maryland Terps and Washington Nationals fan. He spent years supporting the local Boys and Girls Clubs, AAU Basketball, and booster clubs of his daughters’ colleges. Always ready to lend a hand, his support to those in need continued to his last day. His passion for giving and providing for his family as well as his integrity and wit will be fondly remembered. Loyalty, hard work, having a plan, studying, “being smarter than the problem,” and cheering for the underdog were Mark’s core values. Mark is survived by his wife Kristine Kahler and daughters Lindsay and Ashley, sister, Mary Overton (sons Ronald and David) and brother, Robert Kahler, as well as his large extended family. The family requests that any memorial donations be given to the Emergency Assistance Fund for the UFCW frontline workers who are serving in our grocery stores and may need support during these difficult times. Donations can be made via: www.communityservicesagency.org - Look for "Please Donate Now to CSA" on the right hand side of the page. - Under “Designation” please note “Emergency Assistance Fund, UFCW Local 400”. or Emergency Assistance Fund /Community Services Agency 815 16th Street, NW Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20006 We welcome you to share a favorite a memory of Mark or keep in touch with the family at [email protected]