Daniel Gale Benson

Daniel Gale Benson, a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at his home in Marietta, Ohio on June 5, 2024, at the age of 67.

Dan was born to Gale Edward and Jean Patterson Benson on August 11, 1956 in Marietta. Several years after graduating from Marietta High School, Dan joined the Marietta Fire Department, following in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather, Harmon Richard, both of whom served as firefighters at the department. Dan retired from the fire department in 2008 after serving as Assistant Fire Chief and previously as the Fire Inspector.

Dan’s 34-year commitment to his sobriety led him to work a rewarding part-time job in retirement at the Mid-Ohio Valley Fellowship Home, helping mentor and support individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction recovery. Outside of this job, he also took great pride in being a sponsor to others in recovery over the years.

Dan was known by friends and family for having a warm and silly sense of humor and a caring nature. He had an abiding interest in the history of Marietta, Ohio and the Marietta Fire Department, creating and maintaining the popular Memories of Marietta Facebook page and publishing Alarm Log MFD, a pictorial history of the Marietta Fire Department. Dan also enjoyed classic rock and southern rock music, including his favorite band Pink Floyd. Unfortunately, Dan was also an avid Cleveland Browns fan, loyally yet agonizingly rooting for his beloved team every Sunday. “There’s always next year,” was one of Dan’s common refrains each football season.

Dan is survived by his wife of 41 years, Velvet; his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lauren Ellmers of New York City; his daughter Lacey and her partner Tim Tuten of Marietta; his sister Karen Wiggington Biehl of Marietta; his brother Bob of Raleigh, North Carolina; his niece Jennifer Biehl Francis of Marietta; and his niece Julie (Biehl) Hooper of Marietta.

There are no services planned at this time. McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.