Bender, Irving (1890-1973)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Jan,31 p. 11

Birth date: 1890 Oct 2

text of obituary:

IRVING BENDER

Irving Bender was born Oct. 2, 1890 near Kalona, Johnson County, Iowa, the son of Samuel and Saloma (Yoder) Bender. He died at his home in Wellman on Dec. 17, 1973 at the age of 83. Although he had been in failing health for about a year his death, due to a heart attack, was unexpected.

As a small boy Irving moved to Wright County, Iowa where his family established a home in a new Amish-Mennonite community. When the Wright County church disbanded, the family returned to southeastern Iowa, this time to Iowa County.

He married Ethel Yoder on Aug. 30, 1916, and they farmed in Greene Township until 1944 when they moved to Wellman.

As a youth in Wright County he accepted Christ and became a member of the Mennonite Church. Later he transferred membership to the West Union Mennonite Church near Parnell. At the time of his death he was a member of the Wellman Mennonite Church.

Irving was a quiet, conscientious man, often sharing his concerns for his family and the church he loved. He served as a Sunday school teacher, church trustee and in later years was eager to volunteer for Mennonite Disaster calls.

Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Aldine (Wilma) Gingerich of Wellman; two sons, Delmar of Oxford and Wallace of Parnell; one son-in-law, Aldine Gingerich; two daughters-in-law, Goldie Bender and Lois Bender; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Alice Brenneman of Kalona and Mrs. Loyal (Lydia) Swartzendruber of Wellman.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Fannie, Ella and Nettie, one brother, Alvin and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Dec. 19 at the Wellman Mennonite Church, with Ron Kennel and Emery Hochstetler in charge. Burial was in the West Union Church Cemetery.