Mark My Words: Local journalist Mark Bliss retires

November 25, 2019

After working as a local journalist for more than 32 years across four decades, the career of Southeast Missourian reporter Mark Bliss was celebrated at a retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. Wednesday will mark Bliss's last day at the newspaper.

Ben Matthews

Guests fill the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media to bid farewell to Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss smiles as remarks are given at his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. 

Guests fill the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media to bid farewell to Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss talks to Dr. Loretta Prater during his retirement reception in the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Coworkers, community members and local leaders begin to fill the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media to bid farewell to Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, center left, socializes with Jim Riley inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media during a retirement reception for Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Guests socialize in the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media as a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, center right, begins to wind down Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Jim Limbaugh, left, talks to Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss during a retirement reception for Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, right, laughs while talking to retired Southeast Missourian photographer Fred Lynch during Bliss's retirement reception inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Teri Wilson congratulates Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss at his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

The sun begins to set as guests socialize inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media during a retirement reception Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, below center, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, center right, shares a laugh with former federal Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, during a retirement reception in Bliss's honor. After four decades of work as a local journalist, Wednesday will mark Bliss's last day at the paper.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, center left, shakes hands with Cape Girardeau School District superintendent Neil Glass, center right, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Jon K. Rust, publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications, shares a laugh with journalist Mark Bliss inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, during a retirement reception for Bliss.

From left, Jim Riley, Gary Rust Sr., Jerry Ford and former federal Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. pose for a photo during a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss poses for a photo with his cake before his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss and his wife Marcia pose for a photo before his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss poses for a photo with his daughter Becca during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, right, shares a laugh with Rust Communications chairman of the board Gary Rust Sr. during his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. Bliss retires Wednesday after four decades as a local journalist.

Guests at a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, second from left, listen as Jon K. Rust, publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications, shares his memories of Bliss's decades of work in local journalism.

Guests listen as Southeast Missourian business reporter Jay Wolz delivers a speech during a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss speaks at his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau.

Rust Communications chairman of the board Gary Rust Sr. shakes hands with Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss, right, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. 

Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss laughs as speeches are given at his retirement reception Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau.

Remarks are given during a retirement reception for Southeast Missourian journalist Mark Bliss on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, inside the Bullpen at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau. 

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