Daniel Fortney

Daniel Allen Fortney, age 79, died peacefully and unexpectedly in his sleep on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at about 10:30 pm.

Daniel was born November 21, 1946 in Fort Wayne to Donald M. Fortney and Jean H. (Thomson) Fortney. Growing up he attended Ft. Wayne public schools. He was Vice President of his senior class, graduating from South Side High School in 1965. Immediately after high school he joined the United States Air Force serving four years. He was stationed first in Biloxi, Mississippi where he earned a Medal of Commendation, and then in Peshawar, West Pakistan (1968-1969).

Upon his discharge, he met and soon married Marlene Sue Helsel on New Year’s Eve in 1970. They were married for 55 years and 24 days. The had two children: Jon Pierre Fortney and Heather Renee (Dave) Tack.

In 1980 Dan and Marlene, along with their children, served the Churches of God (Findlay, Ohio) in Bogra, Bangladesh. Dan was the administrator of the mission consisting of churches, schools, clinics and the Bogra Christian Hospital. After returning from Bangladesh, Dan assumed the position of Associate for Cross Cultural Missions with the Churches of God. In this roll he supported and strengthened the work of the church in Bangladesh, India, Hati, and The Navajo Nation in New Mexico, making regular trips to these places.

In 1991 Dan earned his Masters Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), graduating Summa Cum Laude from Findlay University. After his graduation in 1991, Dan was recruited to work at the Institute of Public Administration, teaching Saudi men for the government school. Marlene, also an ESOL teacher, was able to join Dan in Saudi Arabia in 1992.

They both returned to the United States in 2000 and took jobs teaching ESOL to children in the Howard County Public School System. Following the death of his father in 2005, he returned to Saudi Arabia on a solo contract to teach Saudi military officers. He would get home yearly to see his family. In 2009, Pierre joined his father working at the same company which was a special time for both. Dan returned to the States and retired in 2011.

A favorite retirement pastime was cooking at home and with his grandchildren. Those chef teams would make anything from cookies and brownies to Deviled Eggs and Hummus. On neighborhood walks, Dan built a rapport with a nearby Home Day Care. Dan would find riddles to share with them, while they filled our home with unique artwork! Dan also enjoyed reading the newspaper and Facebook posts, as well as, doing crossword puzzles. Additionally, he liked working in the yard and growing his own herbs to use in his cooking.

Dan’s faith in Christ Jesus was paramount in his life. Wherever in the world he was, he would find Christians to worship with. Early in their married life, the Fortneys taught Sunday School, Children’s Worship and led a Youth Group. Dan loved playing his guitar and leading children in their worship songs. In later years, while worshiping with a group of co-workers, he would take turns in the preaching rotation. In his current church, he was always willing to fill in for his pastor when needed. Dan’s generous and kind spirit will be missed by many people.

Daniel Fortney is survived by his wife, Marlene (Helsel) Fortney; a son, Jon Pierre Fortney; a daughter, Heather Renee Tack; eight grandchildren: Gena (Thomas) LaMothe; Naomi; Abigail (Jake) Lisenbee; Edward (Darline) Tack; Julia; Lily; Elaine; Samson; two great-grandchildren: Oliver Lisenbee and Elijah Tack, and two step-great-grandchildren: Scarlet and Rose; three brothers: Robert Fortney of Columbus, OH; James (Karen) Fortney of Canonsburg, PA; Douglas (Rhonda) Fortney of Geneva, IN.

A Celebration of Daniel's Life will be held on March 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM, located at the Community Church of God, 306 Fifth Avenue SE, Glen Burnie, MD 21061.