Mark C. Moats

Mark C. Moats, 84, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. He was born on July 25, 1941 in Defiance, Ohio to the late Paul and Mary (Stipe) Moats. 

Mark graduated in 1959 from Fairview High School as a member of the first graduating class. He attended Miami University and later enlisted in the United States Army, serving two years and stationed in Chicago. After the Army, Mark returned to work at his father’s dealership, Moats Ford in Sherwood, Ohio, which his grandfather established in 1916. In 1971, Mark bought the Defiance Ford store and in 1973 built the current Mark Moats Ford dealership. He retired from the business in 2013 as a third-generation owner. 

Ford cars were Mark’s passion, as were all of the people he met along the way. He kept the original bill of sale and dealership paperwork from the early days of the business. He was an avid collector of Ford memorabilia, which he proudly displayed in his private museum that he established in 2007. 

Mark was very actively involved in the Defiance community. He was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Defiance and the Sherwood Masonic Lodge. He is a past president of the Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, the Defiance College Purple & Gold Athletic Club, and the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association. He served on the NW Ohio Hospice Board, the Defiance Hospital Board, the Maumee Valley Watershed Board, the Sherwood State Bank Board, a regional Ford Advertising Board, and numerous other Ford and Ohio Automobile Dealer committees. He was also a member of the Defiance College Board of Trustees. In 2012, he received the Defiance Chamber of Commerce Michael A. Schultz Leadership Award, and in 2023 the Defiance College Phyllis J. Snyder Fan Appreciation Award.

Mark always loved reading, sorting, and organizing his mail. He always shared news articles with friends and family with a handwritten note. His handwritten notes will be greatly missed by everyone who received them through the years. He never met a stranger and was a friend to many. A few more of Mark’s pleasures were jigsaw puzzles, his office, searching the internet, and his cat, Bronco. He always called everyone “turkey” as a sign of affection, always with a smile and a laugh. He also enjoyed his time presenting and traveling with the Defiance Travelers Club. 

Mark is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years, Karen (Kline). They were married on October 5, 1963, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sherwood. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. John (Joann) Moats of Bryan; his son Wesley C. (Heather) Moats of Defiance; and grandchildren Joshua Brehm, Colin Moats, and Olivia Moats, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by their daughter, Amy Moats Brehm. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at St. Paul United Methodist Church. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 27th at the church, with Rev. John Schlicher officiating. One hour of additional visitation will be held before the service from 10:00 to 11:00. Mark will be laid to rest at Sherwood Cemetery, Sherwood, Ohio. 

Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center or St. Paul United Methodist Church in Defiance. 

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