MUNCIE, Ind. (WTHR) — The city of Muncie and the Ball State community are mourning the loss of a man who kept them fed for more than a quarter-century.
Mark Carter, known as "The Hot Dog Man" to those who frequented Carter Hot Dogs in Muncie, died Sunday at the age of 58. Carter served hot dogs at the Muncie Mall and at a hot dog cart in the Ball State village since 1994.
Friends, family and former customers of Carter flooded his Facebook page with condolences Monday night.
"He was amazing, the epitome of what a father should be, a legend and my hero," wrote his daughter Megan.
- RELATED: Read Mark Carter's obituary
"He was a great guy - very funny and so nice and he loved his family," wrote a cousin named Cara. "I have seen multiple Facebook posts today of people sharing the unbelievable news and sharing their Ball State HDM stories...truly a testament to how many lives he has touched."
"Not sure how hundreds of thousands of college kids would’ve made it after 3am in The Village at Ball State University without you!" wrote Matt Whisner. "And damn could he make some awesome chili dogs."
"Mark Carter was not just 'The Hot Dog Guy.' He was a good man who was truly respected by everyone who met him," Justin Schneider wrote.
Carter graduated from Ball State in 1983 with a degree in business. He is a 1979 graduate of Delta High School.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen and two children, among other relatives.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory in Muncie. An hour of visitation will be held before funeral services begin at noon on Thursday.
