December 27, 2015

Gary Dale Benefield, 69, passed away Dec. 27 at Russellville Hospital.
Gary was born in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and was raised in the Oak Grove Community in Alabama. He attended Union Jr. High School and graduated from Phil Campbell High School in 1964. After graduation, Gary moved to Lockport, Ill., and worked as a heavy equipment operator.
He was a 45-year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 and a proud supporter of the United Engineers Party. He served the membership as a Business Representative for over 20 years. He pulled extra duty by spending his off time organizing unrepresented workers. His career was devoted to helping others, whether it be a union member with a grievance or a non-union worker exploited by his employer.
Gary spent his retirement attempting to help many who needed a second chance, even if they had already been given a second and third chance by their own friends and family.
Gary lived his life on the level and treated everyone as a brother. He was a past Master of Spruce Pine Lodge No. 608, the Cahaba Shrine and the Operating Engineers Square Club.
The family will receive friends at Pinkard Funeral Home Jan. 2, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral services will be in the chapel at 1 pm. Burial will be in East Franklin Cemetery.
Survivors include the mother of his children, Norma Benefield; children Sherry Isbell and husband Jeff, Steven Benefield and wife Melissa, and Tammy Hellman and husband Robert; and sister, Carolyn Grissom. Other survivors are grandchildren Lauren, Garrett and Hannah Isbell; Emily and Caitlin Gunty; Abby Hellman; Audrey, Rebecca and Andrea Benefield; Jenna Sohacki; and Samantha and Nathan Albers.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Benefield, father Dolphus Doyle Benefield, mother Evelyn Hardy, step-father Oker Hardy, brothers Jimmy and Jerry Benefield and sister Alice Jean Benefield.