Mark W Altier

Mark William Altier, 75, of Worthington, Ohio, formerly of Troy and Wooster, died Friday, June 28, 2024, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, after a determined and brave battle with cancer.

Mark was a public servant. After earning his law degree, he chose to spend his career in public service. He practiced law for more than 50 years. He was most professionally satisfied when he was a student and found opportunities to continue learning.

Mark was a champion of the underdog and literal and figurative stray, often quietly using his legal experience to assist people in need. He had a soft heart for animals, and countless cats and dogs found a happy life with Mark. His home was a welcoming place, filled with generosity, hospitality, good food, interesting conversation, laughter and great storytelling.

Mark is survived by his loving wife of 7 years, Sue (Hachten); his three children, Christopher (Katie) Altier of Gahanna, Kathryn (William Patton) Reagan of Westerville and Meghan Altier of Columbus; four grandchildren, Benjamin and Abigail Reagan, and Caroline and Graham Altier; one sister, Mary (John Walker) Altier, and two brothers, Shawn (Dominique) Altier, of Paris, France and Craig (Mareen) Altier of Ithaca, NY; Sister-in-law Judy Altier and niece Amanda (Dillon) Altier of Law Vegas, NV; and his beloved rescue beagle, Rosie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Nedra Altier, wife of 43 years Sandy (McGookey), brother Paul and sister Beth.

A native of Newton Falls, Ohio, Mark graduated from Mount Union College and developed what became a life-long passion for learning. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University; and well into his career, earned a Master of Arts in Urban Studies from the University of Akron.

Mark spent a career in the public sector, serving as a felony trial prosecutor and a two- term, elected commissioner in Wayne County; the first full-time law director of the City of Sandusky, Ohio; village administrator and solicitor for the Village of West Salem, Ohio; and Chief Civil Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and First Assistant in the Office of the Miami County Prosecuting Attorney.

Later in his law career, he served as Chief Legal Counsel in the office of Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost, and then Director of Open Government under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. After retiring, he returned to public service as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Licking County, Ohio, Civil Division.

Friends are invited to join his family for an observance of his life at Bethel International United Methodist Church, 1220 Bethel Road, Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, July 27 at 2pm. 

 Memorial contributions may be made to Licking County Humane Society, 825 Thornwood Drive, Heath, Ohio 43056 lchspets.org; or to the charity of the donor's choice.