Benton Herbert Mull (Age 76)
Salisbury, MD-Benton “Ben” Herbert Mull (aka GentleBen & Pierre) 76, of Salisbury, died peacefully Sunday, April 9, 2017 surrounded by loved ones at Coastal Hospice by the Lake. He was born in Washington, D.C. on January 18, 1941, the son of the late Orval Benton and Anna Laura (Herbert) Mull. After graduating from Northwood High School in Silver Spring, MD, Ben attended Longview Technical University in Texas with aspirations of becoming a pilot. Unfortunately, his eyesight did not allow him to pursue this dream. When Ben returned home, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Fort Gordon, GA before being honorably discharged. Upon his return home to Silver Spring, MD he worked as a lineman at C & P Telephone Company and retired after 30 years of service as a property and building manager.
Benton met Louise Goodwin in 1965 while he was volunteering at the Wheaton Rescue Squad. Two years later, they were married. They had two children, Kevin and Kimberly, to whom Ben was a loving and devoted father. Always putting family first, Ben enjoyed taking his children on camping and fishing trips, on special family vacations and loved attending the activities in which his children were involved. After 35 years of a devoted marriage, Louise passed away in 2002 prompting Ben to move to Salisbury to be closer to their son’s family. Ben is survived by his son and daughter-in-law , Kevin and Karen Mull of Salisbury, MD and his daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and John Bergsmith of Concord, NC; 6 grandchildren Ashley Bergsmith, Connor Mull, Casey Mull, Ryan Bergsmith, Christopher Mull, and Catherine Mull; his sister Elaine Harvey of Huntington, WV.
Besides his family, the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad was Benton’s other passion in life. He began working with the rescue squad at 19 years of age and continued to volunteer for the next 50 years. Always possessing a strong desire to help others in need, Ben found his time spent with the rescue squad extremely rewarding. He worked his way up through the ranks and eventually became deputy chief in January, 1972. He also held several positions on the board of directors for the rescue squad, including president. He received numerous awards for his time with the rescue squad; however, his most notable was a Governor’s Citation for 50 years of volunteer service. Ben also was inducted into the Maryland Fire Fighters Hall of Fame.
A visitation will be held at Collins Funeral Home in Silver Spring, MD (Valet Parking) on Wednesday, April 12 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A funeral service will follow on Thursday, April 13 at 11am at Luther Rice Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, PO Box 1577, Wheaton, MD, 20915. Arrangements are entrusted to the Collins Funeral Home in Silver Spring, MD.
