Thomas E. Bender

Thomas E. Bender, 74, of Elkhart, died at 7:00 am, March 16, 2010 at Elkhart Hospice House. He was born October 6, 1935 to Milo T. and Wanda J. (Mercer) Bender in Elkhart. On November 23, 1957, he married Anna J. Young in Osceola.

His wife survives with 2 sons, Roger Bender of Middlebury and Brian (Peggy) Bender of Elkhart; 3 daughters, Renee (Chet) Wilson of Crothersville, IN, Rita Veatch of Columbus, IN, and Libby (Joey) Magurie of Elkhart; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; a brother Charles W. (Karen) Bender, and 2 sisters, Betty Jo (Richard) Brown and Jean Merry, all of Elkhart. He was preceded in death by siblings Judy Cox, William Cox and Milo D. Bender.

Mr. Bender was employed in the Parts Dept. at Eby Auto in Nappanee, retiring in 1996. He attended New Hope United Methodist Church, was a member of Moose Lodge #599, DAV 19, and a veteran of the US Army 82nd Airborne. He and his wife were foster parents for over 50 children.

Visitation will be Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, Elkhart where funeral services will be held Friday at 11 am. Rev. Lee H. Campbell will officiate. Burial will follow at Five Points Cemetery. Military graveside honors will take place.

Memorials maybe given to Center for Hospice & Palliative Care. Visit www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com to sign an online guestbook. Exclusive Provider, Veterans & Family Memorial Care.