W. "Gene" E. Bennington

Wilbur “Gene” Bennington Jr., 76, of Brimfield, Ohio, died peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, March 21, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on September 5, 1949, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, he was a son of the late Wilbur E. and Georgeanne (Roberts) Bennington Sr. and moved to northeast Ohio in 1967.

From an early age, Gene demonstrated exceptional talent in baseball and was invited to try out as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers; however, he ultimately chose to focus on his academic interests instead. A 1967 graduate of Martins Ferry High School, Gene went on to pursue his passion for engineering at Kent State University and the University of Akron. He began his long and dedicated career with Ametek, where he worked for 49 years, ultimately serving as Director of Engineering. He often shared the memorable story of hitchhiking to work on his very first day—a testament to the determination and perseverance that defined his life.

Gene found great joy in the open road, especially while riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycles alongside friends, taking countless trips across the country. Sundays were often spent watching NASCAR, a pastime he truly enjoyed. He also cherished traveling, particularly cruises through the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.

The Great Smoky Mountains held a special place in Gene’s heart. He loved backpacking along the Appalachian Trail, tent camping, and leisurely drives through Cades Cove. For many seasons, he volunteered as a Camper Host at West Branch State Park, where he delighted in camping, fishing, and sharing campfire moments with his family.

Gene had a deep appreciation for photography, capturing life’s moments in countless albums that will serve as lasting memories for those who knew and loved him.

Those left to remember Gene include his wife of almost 36 years, Debra “Debbie” Bennington; daughters, Heather (Glen) Hawk, Rachel (Tim) Wade; and daughter Kara (Rick) Corbett, whom he adopted on June 11, 1993; grandsons, Garrett Wade, Ephraim and Westen Farkas, Riley, Ryker, and Remington Corbett; brother, Rex (Elizabeth) Bennington; sister, Marsha Bartsch; nephews, Jason (Jennifer) Bartsch, and Dustin (Andrea) Bennington; nieces, Bree (Larry) Myers, and Larissa Bennington; several cousins; and his dedicated K-9 companion, Bailey.

Along with his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his infant son, Joshua, and brother, Mark.

A Memorial Service to honor Gene’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Adams Mason Funeral Home 791 E. Market St. Akron, Ohio, 44305. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.

The family would like to thank the Brimfield Fire Department, UH Portage Medical Center, Minoff Seidman Cancer Center, and Affinity Care of Ohio Hospice workers for their kindness and compassionate care they showed Gene throughout these past few months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gene’s memory to any of these organizations to show our gratitude and appreciation.