By Jennifer Keiper, WLS-AM 890 News

(CHICAGO)  A wake will be held today for the founder of the non-profit group that sends pizza to soldiers.

Mark Evans, 58, a military veteran who started the non-profit group “Pizzas4Patriots” told WLS-AM that the idea came up at his own kitchen table.

“My son and I are eating Chicago deep dish pizza, the war is on TV, I’m a 26 year veteran and he asks, “Do they have pizza like this there in the war zone? ”  I’m like, son, they’re eating out of boxes – MREs – and he says, “Well, could we get them some ?” And I said this is the best pizza in the world and you know how hard that would be?” But, my parents were always positive in life,” said Evans.

The group has shipped pizzas around the globe — places like Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mark Evans, an Elk Grove Village resident, died Friday but his family plans to keep “Pizzas4Patriots” going.

The wake for Evans is being held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Grove Memorial Chapel in Elk Grove Village.  His funeral is 10 a.m. Thursday at the chapel.

@ 2017 WLS-AM News