John Edward Bengel

John Edward Bengel, 70 of Hanahan, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Born on April 4, 1955 in Rocky Mount, NC, he was the son of the late Lula Ann House Bengel and John Russell Bengel.

John served in the United States Army for 10 years where he completed special forces training as a Green Beret. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering in 1984. He received his master's degree in 1994 in the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies from Yale University with high honors. He retired as Director of Environmental & Solid Waste Management from International Paper.

John is preceded in death by his parents as well as his stepmother, Frances Rooks Bengel and father-in law, Pete Hicks.

John is survived by his wife,Celia Bengel and his beloved pets, Chucky and Bailey; mother-in-law, Nancy Hicks; sisters: Tammy Robards, Connie Luper, and Bonnie Bengel; brother-in-law, Michael Hicks; sister-in-law, Leslie Ware (Tim); nephews: Ryan Couch (Rachel), Justin Couch, Steven Luper (Megan), Colton Ware (Sydney); nieces: Mary Beth Perdue (Scott), Kaitlyn Pate (Brian); 3 great-nephews; and 7 great-nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 3 in Nashville, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation in honor of John.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843) 553-1511.