Mark Sidney Benfele, age 66, was peacefully welcomed into heaven by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 17, 2025, from his Kingsley, Michigan home in the presence of his friends, John and Amanda Bowen, after a valorous battle with pancreatic cancer. Mark was born October 27, 1958, at U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan to his mother Eleanor (Tower) McConnell and Father Marcelo Benfele. He was named for his father and paternal grandfather, Loren Sidney Benfele.

Mark and his family moved to Mesick, Michigan in 1968 where Mark graduated from Mesick Consolidated High School in 1977. That same year, he began a career at Munson Medical Center that lasted more than 20 years. In 2000, Mark was employed by the Leelanau Sands Casino, where he worked for 25 years in security and surveillance. Mark was especially proud of the awards received for the longevity of his career with the casino. Mark briefly served in the army in the 1980s, under President Reagan.

An avid fan of history, Mark was particularly proud to share his birthday exactly 100 years after the birth of President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt. His enthusiasm for history led him to an enjoyment of wargaming and tabletop games in general. Mark also loved the Dallas Cowboys. In his youth, Mark was a member of the Future Farmers of America, and, in high school, he participated in the Chess Club. Mark was a member of the NRA and enjoyed occasional target shooting in the backyard of his Kingsley home.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother and father, his grandmother Ada (Clark) Tower, maternal aunt Barb Tower and maternal uncle Max Tower. He is survived by his younger sister Elizabeth "Buffy" (Benfele) Brabaw (Wayne) of Sanford, Michigan, brother Daniel Williams (Carla) of Drake, North Dakota, and half-siblings Renee Benfele and Marcelo Benfele in Venezuela.

Mark's life will be celebrated with a 4:00PM visitation Saturday, December 6 and 5:00PM memorial at Mt. Zion Family Worship Center, 4950 Silver Pines Road, in Traverse City with a potluck meal to follow. The memorial and celebration are open to the public. As Mark never considered himself a fancy person, the dress is casual, with respect to Mark's preference for flannel shirts, Carhartt, and Dickies. Mark requests that, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations be made in his name to Cowell Family Cancer Center, in thanks for their great care during his battle. May he rest in eternal joy and peace, while his family and friends look forward to a heavenly reunion.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com