On November 30, 2025, Mark Rouse of Fishers, Indiana, passed away peacefully at the age of 74, surrounded by his family after a brief illness. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and nationally recognized artist, Mark leaves behind a legacy defined by quiet faith, remarkable creativity, and deep devotion to his loved ones.
Born in Indianapolis in 1951, Mark grew up in the Broad Ripple area. After graduating from Lawrence Central High School, he earned a fine arts degree from Herron School of Art. Though he began his career in commercial design, he returned to his first love—painting—in the 1990s. He became widely known for his luminous watercolor landscapes and spiritually inspired works, earning signature status in several esteemed watercolor societies.
As a juried artist with the Hoosier Salon and an active member of the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association, Mark exhibited regularly at the Indiana State Fair and the Hoosier Salon Gallery in Carmel. His serene depictions of Midwestern barns, winding rivers, and sunlit fields resonated deeply, and his art was collected across the nation and featured on the covers of regional publications.
Mark shared 52 years of marriage with his wife, Diana. Together they raised four children and delighted in nine grandchildren. Their home on Geist Reservoir was a place of warmth and welcome, filled with Sunday dinners, summer gatherings, laughter, and stories.
A man of profound faith, Mark served as an elder at Geist Christian Church for more than 30 years and quietly supported mission work in Haiti, often donating his paintings to fundraising auctions. He also generously mentored emerging artists through the Fishers Arts Council and led plein-air workshops that encouraged others to see beauty and the divine in everyday landscapes.
A celebration of Mark’s life will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Geist Christian Church in Fishers. The reception will include a retrospective display of his artwork. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Hoosier Salon Patrons Association or to the Haiti mission fund at Geist Christian Church, continuing Mark’s legacy of beauty, faith, and service.
Rest in peace, Mark. Your light lives on in your art and in the hearts of all you inspired.