1928
Kenneth
2014
Kenneth Bender
October 18, 1928 — July 15, 2014
Kenneth Clifford Bender, 85, of Wooster, formerly of Estero, FL, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Shady Lawn Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. He was born in Marion Ohio, on October 18, 1928, to Myrtle F. (Mathews) and Philip A. Bender. Ken was a World War II Air Force veteran. He was a graduate of North Central College and then obtained a Masters of Education from Case Western Reserve University.
He and Jane raised their family in Vermilion, OH. He was employed as a physical education teacher in the Lorain Public Schools, retiring in 1984. He also managed the Sun-Fun-Swim Club and YMCA in Vermilion. He enjoyed working with the kids and teaching swimming lessons. His favorite activities included traveling, camping, fishing, golfing, round dancing, church activities and spending time with his family.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ft Myers, FL and had been a long time member of First Lutheran Church in Lorain, OH before retiring to Florida. He was active in church council and Kiwanis. He was a referee for football, basketball and lacrosse. He spent a short term as building inspector and on the zoning review board in Vermilion, OH. While in Florida, he served on the Lee County Elections Board.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ethel Jane (Wilson)whom he married August 18, 1951; his children Mark (Jane) Bender of Indianapolis, IN, Joel (Lisa) Bender of Wooster, Chris (Tom) Lesnar, of Freeland, MI, and Bruce (Peggy) Bender of Commerce Township, MI; Grandchildren Katie (John) Bender of Astoria, NY, Andrew (Sarah) Bender of Chicago, IL, Erin (Brian) Ransom of Wooster, Megan Lesnar of Grand Rapids, MI, Scott Lesnar of Freeland, MI, Breanne Lesnar of Freeland, MI, Rachel (Jairus) Baird of Kalamazoo, MI, Kim (Scott) Martin of Commerce Township, MI, Trisha Bender of Louisville, KY. Great-grandsons Owen Ransom and Kenton Baird; and brothers Ralph (Barb) Bender of Turtletown, TN and Paul (Judy) Bender of Lebanon, OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents Philip A. and Myrtle F (Mathews) Bender; three sisters Hazel Florida, Mildred Koehler, and Jeannette Shields; and four brothers Edgar Bender, Auguste Bender, Richard Bender and Jack Bender.
Arrangements are being handled by Roberts Funeral Home and a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 2pm at the Zion Lutheran Church, 301 N. Market St., Wooster, Ohio with Rev. Ann Paynter officiating. Memorial donations can be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, 7401 Winkler Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33919 or LifeCare Hospice, 2525 Back Orrville Road, Wooster, OH 44691.
He and Jane raised their family in Vermilion, OH. He was employed as a physical education teacher in the Lorain Public Schools, retiring in 1984. He also managed the Sun-Fun-Swim Club and YMCA in Vermilion. He enjoyed working with the kids and teaching swimming lessons. His favorite activities included traveling, camping, fishing, golfing, round dancing, church activities and spending time with his family.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ft Myers, FL and had been a long time member of First Lutheran Church in Lorain, OH before retiring to Florida. He was active in church council and Kiwanis. He was a referee for football, basketball and lacrosse. He spent a short term as building inspector and on the zoning review board in Vermilion, OH. While in Florida, he served on the Lee County Elections Board.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ethel Jane (Wilson)whom he married August 18, 1951; his children Mark (Jane) Bender of Indianapolis, IN, Joel (Lisa) Bender of Wooster, Chris (Tom) Lesnar, of Freeland, MI, and Bruce (Peggy) Bender of Commerce Township, MI; Grandchildren Katie (John) Bender of Astoria, NY, Andrew (Sarah) Bender of Chicago, IL, Erin (Brian) Ransom of Wooster, Megan Lesnar of Grand Rapids, MI, Scott Lesnar of Freeland, MI, Breanne Lesnar of Freeland, MI, Rachel (Jairus) Baird of Kalamazoo, MI, Kim (Scott) Martin of Commerce Township, MI, Trisha Bender of Louisville, KY. Great-grandsons Owen Ransom and Kenton Baird; and brothers Ralph (Barb) Bender of Turtletown, TN and Paul (Judy) Bender of Lebanon, OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents Philip A. and Myrtle F (Mathews) Bender; three sisters Hazel Florida, Mildred Koehler, and Jeannette Shields; and four brothers Edgar Bender, Auguste Bender, Richard Bender and Jack Bender.
Arrangements are being handled by Roberts Funeral Home and a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 2pm at the Zion Lutheran Church, 301 N. Market St., Wooster, Ohio with Rev. Ann Paynter officiating. Memorial donations can be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, 7401 Winkler Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33919 or LifeCare Hospice, 2525 Back Orrville Road, Wooster, OH 44691.
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