Dr. Mark A. McDonald, 65, of Aurora, Illinois died suddenly of a heart attack in his home on Wednesday, March 30th. Mark was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1956 to Elizabeth and the late John D. McDonald. Dr. McDonald was a 1974 graduate of Elgin High School and went on to receive his Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1979, where he lettered in football and wrestling and was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. Mark later earned his Masters degree in Education from Northern Illinois University in 1985 and Doctor of Education degree from the University of Illinois in 1992. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Mark began his career at Mooseheart as a high school history teacher and football and track coach. He led Mooseheart to their first ever appearance in the IHSA state football playoffs (1985) and to two undefeated regular seasons (1985 & 1986). Following Mooseheart, Mark embarked on a career in educational leadership initially at West Aurora High School as an Assistant Principal and Principal, later at Downers Grove South High School as Principal and finally as Superintendent of School District 99. At each stop, Mark was noted for his outstanding support of students and staff and commitment to educational excellence. Mark is survived by his former wife, Elizabeth, sons, Andrew (Stephanie) and Tony (Christina), six grandchildren (Luke, Emma, Theodore, Frederick, Molly and Malcolm), brother John (Cynthia) McDonald, sisters Laura (Vadim) McDonald and Leslie McDonald, nieces Katie McDonald, Emily (Guillermo) Valles, nephew William Llovich, great-nephew Cameron Pathana and great-niece Olivia Valles. Services will be held for Dr. McDonald at the Dunn Family Funeral Home (1801 Douglas Rd Oswego, IL 60543) on Friday April 8th, 2022. Visitation will begin at 3pm with a memorial service beginning at 6pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mark's memory to Mooseheart, a residential home for children and teens in need from infancy through high school. (https://secure3.convio.net/moose/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app358a?idb=0&df_id=1601&mfc_pref=T&1601.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=EDACAFD0F2E82F8B5A11F42B0F0E7C49) For information www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com or 630-554-3888.