Mark D. Fransen, 64 of Big Rock, I’ll., passed away March 28 at his home.
Graveside services will be Tuesday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m., at Troy Grove Cemetery, Troy Grove, Ill. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, Ill., is handling arrangements.
Mr. Fransen was born Aug. 21, 1954 in Mendota, IL to Logan and Cecil (Carney) Fransen.
He trained two horses which were inducted into the IHHA Hall of Fame: Plum Peachy (1995) and Broadway Preview (2001). Plum Peachy also earned honors as 1990 Illinois Horse of the Year. He trained the winners of nine Super Night races in Chicago and four winners of the prestigious Maywood Pace.