Brother Mark
- Mara Petro
- Sep 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 22
One tragic death you won’t hear about in the headlines is that of my sweet brother, Mark Stephen Dale, born April 18, 1961, who took his own life on September 14, 2025.
I can’t begin to put into words the depths of my sorrow, the weeping, wailing, and wondering how—if—I could have helped him.
Mark is survived by his wife, Susan Harms Dale; our brother, Michael Dale; our sister, Karen Day; his mother-in-law, Nancy Harms; his brothers-in-law, Thomas Harms and Chuck Harms; and me, his baby sister. Our father, William Dale, passed away last year, and our mother, Dawn Dale, passed away this year.
I loved my brother, Mark. He protected me when I was young. When our home wasn’t always safe, and when walking to school wasn’t always safe, Mark looked out for me. I have sporadic memories of our childhood. I don’t remember when I was a baby, but Mark told me that he and Mike used to tie a baby blanket around my neck and call me super baby as I crawled around the house. He said when I was a little girl, they used to play tea party with me. I wish I could remember that.
One memory I cherish is when we lived in New Mexico. Mark and Mike shared a garage conversion bedroom at the time. It was big, and in addition to their beds, there was a rec room of sorts with a fireplace, a dartboard, and a record player. I remember hanging out there with Mark, listening and singing to records of the Beatles, the Monkees, and Glen Campbell. Strangely enough, we loved to read Monster Magazine, and we used to act out scenes from it. I have no idea why I liked monsters then because I hate them now, but we had so much fun reading and talking about that magazine. Though our childhood has many unpleasant memories, I cherish those fun times with Mark.
Sadly, as we grew older, we grew apart. Life and interests took us in different directions. Our Mom often said that Mark was a sad boy who grew into a sad man. I didn’t see his sadness when we were young, but I certainly felt my own. It was only when Mark was older that his deep sadness became evident to me.
He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and went on disability because his symptoms became unmanageable for him. It was this lifelong battle with manic depression that led Mark to take his own life. Everyone in our family and friends tried to help Mark over the years, but we could only do so much.
Mark came to believe in and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior over thirty years ago, and though he backslid and doubted God’s unconditional love and forgiveness at times, we had numerous conversations about the Bible, the Gospel, and Jesus. I heard Mark profess Christ. I read emails and text messages from Mark professing Christ. When he slipped into doubt, I always reminded him of the Gospel and of the truth of Romans 8:35-39:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Mark would say he believed this, then doubt would creep back in and steal his peace.
No one knows the mind of God, but I know that God knows the mind and heart of man. I can’t say for certain because only God knows, but I feel safe in believing that my brother is no longer tortured by his doubts. Remember what it says in Romans: nothing can separate us from the love of God—nothing—that would include our doubts and despairing feelings. The only thing that separates us from God is our disbelief and rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I wish Mark could have found peace in this life. I wish he could have accepted the circumstances of his life and health and still rejoiced in the Lord, as the Apostle Paul encourages us to do. I wish he could have continued fighting the good fight, but it would seem that he grew weary of the battle for his mind.
Because I believe in a merciful God who doesn’t count our sins against us but gave His Son Jesus to pay for our sins, all our sins, past, present, and future, I believe my brother Mark is finally at peace with God our Heavenly Father, hearing: rest, my son, the battle is won.
And we have this assurance in Romans 10:8-13:
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart, you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.
It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Rest in peace, brother, Mark. I’m so sad you’re gone, but you won’t be forgotten. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to help you.
I love you and miss you very much.
Mara
A note from Mark's wife, Susan Dale:
“I love Mark more than anyone in this world. He's my bershet, soul mate. He was my best friend and love. He was so intelligent, and what many may not know he was very funny and told a great joke.
Our first date was at Yorktown Beach. I took his hand as we walked, and he told me later that he was pleased he had a girlfriend. Within three months, we were engaged, and three more married at Yorktown Beach.
Mark had a profound love for Jesus, and I know that he loved me so much. He had a wonderful smile and a twinkle in those blue eyes.
I am forever grateful to God that we loved each other forever and then after."
Mark's Obituary: https://www.andrewsfuneralservices.com/obituary/mark-dale
If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless and desperate, you don’t have to go it alone. You’re not alone; there’s help available. Please reach out.
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-422-HOPE(4673)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Suicide hotlines available in most countries: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html
