MARK LITTEN
Mark David Litten, 65, of East Palatka, passed from this life unexpectedly on Friday, December 26, 2025 at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville from natural causes. A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, Mark resided in Putnam County for the past 4 years coming from Huron, Ohio. He graduated from high school in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1978 and attended Mt. Union University in Alliance, OH where he received his bachelor’s degree in business in 1982. He furthered his education at Dayton University, receiving his master’s degree in educational administration in 1991. Mark was a seasoned economic development professional with over 30 years experience leading development groups at the state, regional and local levels. He had recently transitioned to the position of Vice President of Economic Development with the Indian River Chamber of Commerce in Vero Beach, Florida. He previously served as the Vice-President, Economic Development at the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce in Palatka for 4 years. He also served as the Executive Director of the Erie County Economic Development Corp. (EDEDC) in Sandusky, Ohio for 9 years. He led both public and private-sector development groups. Major accomplishments included providing leadership in guiding Putnam County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) through an aggressive 5-year capital fundraising campaign that raised approximately $3.5 million in 2024. In addition, while in Sandusky, Mark was honored in 2005 by Site Selection Magazine, the premier economic development trade publication, as a “Top 10 Economic Development Group in North America”, the first Ohio organization to ever receive the award. Mark held other economic development leadership positions at Washington- Fayette County Economic Development, Zanesville -Muskingum County Port Authority and he was appointed by Ohio Governor George Voinovich to serve as the Governor’s Regional Development Director. Mark had recently transitioned to the position of Vice President of Economic Development with the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce in Vero Beach, Florida.
In addition to his full-time responsibilities, Mark was active in a volunteer role on numerous boards of directors and organizational committees including, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Membership Development Advisory Committee, Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), Board of Directors representing Florida, past Board of Director Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC), Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) and with the Rotary Club of Palatka Board of Directors and as Sargent at Arms.
Mark also was a retired certified high school and college (D-II) basketball official in Ohio and Michigan for 35 years and was selected on 5 occasions to officiate the Ohio High School State Basketball Tournament and was twice selected by the coaches as their “Official of the Year” (1996 & 2001).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward F. Litten and Darlene Wallace Litten.
Mark is survived by his wife of 41 years, Robin Litten of East Palatka, 2 daughters, Kaitlyn Litten (Paige Gunning) of Salem, MA and Kellyn Litten of Jacksonville.
Memorial services celebrating Mark’s life will be at 6:00 PM on Friday, January 2, 2026 at Johnson- Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Rev. Cliff Lyda officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until the time of services at 6:00 PM.
The services will livestreamed. A link for the livestream can be found on Mark’s Book of Memories Page at www. j-ofunerals.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the Rotary Club of Palatka, P.O. Box 91, Palatka, FL 32178-0091.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Mark’s Book of Memories page at www.j-ofunerals.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.