Mark Francis Benda, 58, Peachtree City, died Aug. 18 2009, following a battle with cancer. He was born Aug. 5, 1951 in Toledo, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Benda, and a brother, Daniel Benda. He grew up on a dairy farm and was graduated from Iowa State University, with graduate studies at Ball State University and the National War College. He loved to fly, served as a military pilot in the United States Air Force and as a commercial pilot with Delta Air Lines. He was retired as a Lt. Colonel from the USAF after a decorated 22 year-long career, having piloted numerous aircraft including the U-2 spy plane, and the AWACS radar surveillance aircraft. After retiring from the Air Force he flew domestic and international routes with Delta Air Lines as First Officer for 12 years.

Services were at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church with interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Maureen Benda, Peachtree City; children, Leslie and Nick Perez, Pensacola, Fla., Greg and Natasha Benda, Smyrna, Stephen Benda, Newnan; granddaughter, Clair Perez; father, Leo Benda, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother, Rick Benda, Levittown, N.J.; and sisters, Deborah Enger, Carol Stream, Ill., Diane Allee, Freeport, Ill., and Marylynne Shea, St. Charles, Mo. Memorial donations may be made to the Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity Inc., 3330 Founders Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268. Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree city, was in charge.