Daniel J. Stull

March 15, 1943 - December 31, 2023

Daniel J. Stull, age 80 of Marion, passed away Sunday December 31, 2023 in Marion.

Dan was born March 15, 1943 in Marion, the son of Leroy Daniel and Viola May (Kennedy) Stull. He was educated in Marion and graduated with the class of 1961 from Harding High School where he ran cross country and track. Dan was a member of the marching band while attending Harding High School and played the trumpet. He continued his education and trumpet playing in college while attending The Ohio State University where he was one of 144 people to play with “The Best Damn Band in the Land”, the Ohio State marching band. He finished his education at Tri-State University in Indiana earning his mechanical engineering degree.

Dan became quite smitten with a beautiful young girl that he pursued until she agreed to go on a date. The rest, as they say, was history. Claudia Dawn Richards was married to Dan on June 29, 1973, at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Marion. They shared a love for traveling and were always up for an adventure together.

Dan’s first job out of college was working for Marion Power Shovel designing mining shovels, draglines and assisting with the crawler frame for NASA. Dan transitioned from Marion Power Shovel to Fairfield Engineering. He began as a mechanical engineer and worked his way up being named president of the company. He retired in 2006 after more than 30 years of service. Dan continued to be an innovator, mentor to young business leaders and a proud supporter of the Marion community throughout his retirement. In fact, Dan was scheduled to teach an engineering course at MTC this spring.

Dan was a man around town that knew no stranger and loved to patronize local businesses. He could regularly be found with a smile on his face, a beverage in hand and sitting on a bar stool at Shovel City Drinkery or the OK Café engaged in conversation with dear friends. He was immensely proud of his family and was often bragging about them, especially his granddaughter, Danielle, and her 3 daughters. With his fondness for music and the arts, he was often a regular attendee at the Marion Palace Theatre. To know Dan was to love him; he will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Randy) Fritch; granddaughter: Danielle (Rylee) Miller; three great-granddaughters: Braelyn, Kinslee and Della Miller.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents and his devoted wife of 46 years, Claudia Stull.

Visitation will be Saturday February 3, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church, 143 S. Prospect St., Marion from 10AM to 12:30PM; a funeral service will follow at 12:30PM with Rev. Rob Howard officiating; Burial will be in Marion Cemetery at a later date. Guests are encouraged to dress in your favorite Buckeye Scarlet and Gray.

If desired, donations honoring Dan may be made to Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W Center St, Marion or Homeless to Home Cat (Sanctuary and Animal Rescue), 1745 Marion Waldo Rd, Marion.

Dan was a member of the marching band in 1961 and 1962. He played Trumpet.