Digital Comic Museum
General Category => Comic Related Discussion => Topic started by: RJ Bowman on June 08, 2011, 09:09:40 PM
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Has anyone else noticed that the http://www.toonopedia.com/ (http://www.toonopedia.com/) web site has not been updated since February? The "Today in Toons" page lists the date as Friday, February 12, 1911. I used to check this web site a couple of times a week, and there was always someting new. Did something happen to Dan Markstein?
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I haven't looked at it in a while, I used to check it regularly for updates but it began to look like he was taking a break. A lot of his recent entries have been pretty obscure, I think he's running out of decent toons to write articles about.
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We are trying to look into this. If we hear any news we will let you know here.
If anyone learns something concrete before this please let us know as well.
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:-[
Hi gang, I just got this message on a Yahoo group about Don, it's not good...
"In May Merlin Haas on another board relayed this bad news
as posted by Don's wife on her Facebook page:
"Don's been through hell lately. In February, he had a stroke and
suffered minor deficits. At that time he was asked to participate in a
study where a stent is placed into an artery in the brain in hopes of
lessening future strokes. Three days later he had a massive stroke and
another brain surgery. He is mentally alert but his left side is
paralyzed and he has a trachea tube and a feeding tube directly into his
stomach. He has suffered many infections and pneumonia since which is
delaying his becoming strong enough to handle the various therapies he
is going to require. He writes on a dry erase board with some difficulty
and is trying to talk with a speaking valve in place. He's in reasonably
good spirits and is just grumpy enough.
Anybody interested in more information can message me here on FB"
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000961455756
-D.D.Degg"
I know we all hope for the best for Don and his family in this very hard time for them all.
If anyone learns something further please let us know here.
-YOc
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:-[ Prayers on the way.
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I'm taking care of a stroke victim (my wife), so I sent GiGi a friend request. Assuming she will approve the friend request, I'll pass on what I learn if and when it seem appropriate. Don has an uphill battle ahead, but I suspect he has a strong will which is a good thing. Good thoughts for him certainly couldn't hurt.
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Well said Jon.
Please pass along our well wishes for the site and the community.
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Prayers go out to Don he has provided a service for years.
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Wow, that's rough. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
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Hi Gang,
I've just gotten confirmation on Don's unfortunate health condition.
It sounds like he's in very rough condition.
For any out there that would like to pass along well wishes here is his contact information -
Don Markstein,
Life Care Center of Paradise Valley
Room 230,
Phoenix, AZ 85032
I know all of us are hoping for the best.
-Yoc
DON MARKSTEIN'S TOONOPEDIA
http://www.toonopedia.com/
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Yoc, I live in Phoenix and I'm pretty sure that you're missing a street address with that mailing address for Don-
While there are several Life Care Centers of America in the Phoenix area the only Life Care Center of Paradise Valley in our region that I know of has an address of-
4065 East Bell Road.
Best
Joe
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horrible to hear huge fan
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The Toonpedia website is currently offline :(
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The Toonopedia has been down for at least four days and it is hard to say if and when it will be available again. Don Markstein has more pressing problems. Unfortunately, I can't give you an update on his health prospects.
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Hi Gang,
I just got this update from Don's wife through the grapevine and wanted to pass it along.
Note the new mailing address -
DON MARKSTEIN UPDATE: edited letter from his wife to a friend
Friday, November 25, 2011 12:01 AM
Thank you for your concern about Don's situation. It means so much to Don to have people remember him. It's been very rough for Don. After his stroke in late March, he suffered from every hospital borne infection imaginable. He has some very low-end insurance so he gets minimal care. After a series of hospitals and rehab centers he now resides at Capri at the Point, 1501 E. Orangewood, Phoenix, AZ. Room #104.
Don Markstein
Capri at the Point
1501 E. Orangewood,
Phoenix, AZ 85020-5130
He is lucid but completely paralyzed on his left side. He is breathing through a hole in his throat and being fed by tube directly into his stomach. His spirits are surprisingly good for someone who has so few ways to alleviate the boredom. He can talk with great effort when they have a speaking valve in place but it causes him troubles and they don't like him to use it very much and pretty much only when he has visitors.
I visit and read to him. Current reading is Wicked, the story of the wicked witch of the west. I'll be ordering the sequels for Christmas. He likes to listen to the classical music stations and he delights in visits from his grandchildren.
The realization he could no longer continue contributing to the Toonopedia site has been difficult.
Cards and letters from old friends would be greatly appreciated.
Again, thank you for your concern. If his situation changes I will let you know.
Best regards.
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Thanks for getting this info for us. My kids and I are preparing cards for him. My kids (11 and 13) have used his material for a zine they are working on.
We will all be praying for Don's recovery and adjustment.
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I am sorry to report that I've just received news that Don Markstein has passed away.
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So sad, my prayers go out to his family and friends.
Geo
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Truly sad.
I hope he's made arrangements that include the site living on.
-Yoc
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Hi Gang,
Ok, I'm writing this for Loftypilot who is beyond shy here on the forums.
Lofty, an old high-school acquaintance of Don's, at our request - reached out to Don's family during his final months. While passing along all our best wishes he also asked if Don had plans for his wonderful site in the future.
Until just the other day he never heard back. He reached out one last time on hearing Don had passed away. Don's wife replied with the following message that we felt everyone here would like to read and perhaps get involved.
Here is Gigi's reply -
we appreciate your interest but don't believe you can be of much help. This is Don's wife, GiGi. Don's nephew is currently working on refreshening up the site. It is a minor revenue generator for me and I hope to increase the money we get from google ads and other referrals. I'm going to try and sell off some of his comic collection and reference books. The main thing we need for the Toonopedia is new articles. If you know of anyone interested in writing for the site I'd love to hear from them. We are in serious need of new material so, please, spread the word. Be the first to have a byline in the Toonopedia.
If there are any writers out there that would like to help Gigi and family with new entries, etc for this worthy site please contact them at the follow email address -
GiGi Dane -toonopedia@yahoo.com