Daniel Joseph Stiers

Daniel Joseph Stiers passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026, at the age of 86. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary Jane Stiers; their three children, David Stiers (Stephanie), Annie Stiers Lindsay (Mather), and Joe Stiers (Katie); and nine grandchildren, Elizabeth Lindsay, Luke Stiers, Virginia Lindsay, Sara Stiers Carr, Jacob Stiers, Kane Stiers, Abigail Lindsay, Anna Marie Stiers, and Molly Stiers.

Dan was born on September 10, 1940, in Zanesville, Ohio, to Forest Lee Stiers and Georgiana Archer Stiers. His strong work ethic began at an early age, when he took his first job delivering newspapers by bicycle at just 10 years old. As a teenager, he spent his summers caddying, beginning a lifelong love of golf. After graduating from Chaminade High School in 1958, Dan attended the University of Dayton. He graduated in 1963. While at Dayton, he also discovered a love of flying and earned his pilot's license.

Following college, Dan answered the call to serve his country and joined the United States Army during the Vietnam War. As a pilot, he flew UH-1 Huey helicopters on medical evacuation missions, retrieving wounded soldiers from the front lines and transporting them to field hospitals. He served four years in the Army in the 101st Aviation Battalion, known as the “Winged Warriors”. He was awarded the Air Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Army Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon - the highest unit-level military decoration awarded by the United States.

After returning from Vietnam, Dan married the love of his life, Mary Jane. The newlyweds settled in Fort Rucker, Alabama, where Dan completed his military service as a flight instructor. He was honorably discharged in 1968.

In 1968, Dan began a long career with Mead Paper Company, which took the growing Stiers family to several cities across the country. Their first son, David, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, followed by their daughter, Annie, in Dallas, Texas, and their youngest son, Joe, in Centerville, Ohio. In 1980, Mead brought the family to Georgia, where they settled in the Dunwoody area.

Dan was an avid golfer and runner. He ran the Peachtree Road Race every year from 1981 through 2000 and participated in the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) for four years alongside Mary Jane and their two sons. He enjoyed staying active, spending time outdoors, and sharing those experiences with his family.

To know Dan was to love him. He had a quick wit and a gift for delivering one-liners that could leave everyone around him laughing. In retirement, he enjoyed playing golf, volunteering at the hospital, spending time with family, and relaxing on his back porch with his daily cigar.

Dan will be laid to rest with military honors at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. A private family service will be held.