Mark Edward Souder was an American politician of the Republican Party who was a U.S. Representative from Indiana from 1995 to 2010. Souder was born in Grabill, Indiana, the son of Irma (née Fahling) and Edward G. Souder. He attended Leo Junior/Senior High School, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and the University of Notre Dame.
From 1974 to 1976, Souder served as marketing manager for Gabbort’s Furniture. From 1976, he was the owner of Souder’s General Store, also known as Historic Souder’s of Grabill. Souder served as an aide for United States Representative Dan Coats from 1983 to 1984; as minority staff director of the House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families from 1985 to 1988.
Souder was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Republican in November 1994, defeating Coats’ successor in Congress, Democrat Jill Long, in that year’s national Republican landslide. He was re-elected in every election thereafter until his resignation in 2010.
Mark Souder Cause of Death
Souder was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2022. He died of the disease on September 26, 2022, at the age of 72.
Souder entered hospice care a few weeks ago. He announced earlier this year that doctors have stopped giving him chemotherapy as a treatment for his pancreatic cancer as that, as well as surgery, were no longer options for treatment.
Before his passing Souder said he had been blessed with more time than doctors had predicted. On multiple occasions, Souder thanked all of his supporters.