Benjamin Johnathon Tretter (Benji) aka Reverend Slug Slime passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2023. He leaves behind his brothers Joseph (Sarah) Tretter, Steven Tretter, his beloved children Ella Tretter (Princess Poopenhagle), Alaina Guin, Masen Newland, Stacy Tretter (Creep), and Eli Tretter (Bug), his grandson Mateo Lyles (Sly), and his grandson on the way Micah Benjamin Newland, his sweetheart Jara Adkins and a wake of others who adored the sh@* out of him, including his baby mama’s. Benji was a cool cat. A fartknocker. A real one. A dumpster diving collector of the most random stuff. In his early twenties he rose to B-level celebrity status in Fort Wayne, Indiana when he became the first licensed body piercer in town. He ultimately opened his own piercing and tattoo shop, Modern Primitive, where he entertained bands and held legendary parties at The Backdoor. He was quite the lady’s man throughout his life – even procreating after a vasectomy. Benji never found a rule that couldn’t be broken or a social norm worthy of acceptance. He had the intellect to be a neurosurgeon but instead chose to focus on other worthy research causes like alien abductions, locating big foot and any other conspiracy theory he could delve into. He was a scrabble master and a chess pro. He loved reading and learning which resulted in a vast lexicon and the most random knowledge base spanning from animal fun facts to the theory of black holes and back to gardening tips. He loved hiking, camping, fishing and everything else nature had to offer. His dark sense of humor was not for the light-hearted but if you got it, you loved it. He was quite the foodie. Without a doubt, in a blindfolded taste-test, Benji could identify every Little Debbie Snack without hesitation. He never met a candy he didn’t like and his kids showered him with treats on every special occasion. He was fearless and loved sharing that with his kids on roller coasters, water slides, handling snakes and spiders. He made the scariest things seem doable. He gave the best hugs. If you know, you know. His deep voice and evil laugh could be distinguished from a mile away. This was one of the many reasons girls crushed hard on him and he knew it. Benji flirted without abandon. He could throw down in the kitchen including a “best ever” sweet potato pie, anything on the grill, chocolate hummus and Kool-Aid pickles. He had the craziest crooked toes that have been passed down to his kids and grandkids. He presence was larger than life. He was truly one of a kind. Rest well, Benji. May the force be with you.

There will be a punk rock memorial at O’Sullivans on the evening of Saturday July 29, 2023 and a celebration of life at Turners Sports Club on Sunday, July 30, 2023 from 1-4 p.m. Memorials may be donated to Benji’s gofundme at https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-for-benji-tretter
FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling arrangements.