Father Mark Berland

Father Mark A. Berland was born on December 14, 1948 to Fred and Eunice (Balthazor) Berland in Hays, Kansas. He was one of seven children and attended Zurich Public Schools until high school where he transferred to St. Francis Seminary in Victoria, Kansas. After graduating from high school he attended Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri and furthered his education at the Kenrick Theological Seminary School in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into priesthood by Bishop Cyril Vogel on June 1, 1974 at the St. Ann Church in Zurich. Father Mark Berland started his career as an associate pastor and assistant editor of “The Register” at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina. Throughout his years he was posted as an associate pastor, head pastor, and religion teacher. In 2009 until his passing in 2019 he was the pastor at the Sacred Heart Parish in Oberlin, the Sacred Heart Parish in Selden, and the Immaculate Conception Parish in Leoville. Father Mark not only enjoyed spreading the word of God but away from the church he enjoyed coin and stamp collecting as well as restoring old tractors. He is survived by his mother Eunice (Balthazor) Berland, sisters; Kay and husband Chris Basgall of Owosso, MI, Ann and husband Tim Zwink of Piedmont, OK, Mary and husband Gary Everett of Wilson, KS, Lois Mason of Ellis, KS, and Rebecca and husband George Cobb of Peoria, AZ; brother-in-law Deacon Walt Slingsby, as well as nieces and nephews. Father Mark is preceded in death by his father, Fred Berland, sisters Carol Slingsby and Joan Berland, and a brother-in-law Robert Mason. A Vigil and Rosary will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville on Sunday, July 21, 2019, the visitation will run from 4:00pm until the Vigil beginning at 7:00pm with a Knights of Columbus rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, July 22, 2019 starting at 11:00am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, with a burial following at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Zurich. Memorials are suggested to the Retired Priests Fund – Salina Diocese and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663. Online condolences can be left at plumeroverlease.com