Bender, Paul E. (1925-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Jun 1 p. 6

Birth date: 1925 Jul 9

text of obituary:

PAUL E. BENDER

Paul E. Bender, 83, of Belleville, Pa., died May 13, 2009. He was born July 9, 1925, to Lewis and Barbara (Miller) Bender in Kalona, Iowa.

He married Leona M. Miller on Dec. 10, 1949.

He served in Civilian Public Service for three years in Terry, Mont., during World War II, attended Eastern Mennonite University and Penn State University, and was ordained for ministry in 1949.

He taught school in Salisbury, Pa., while operating a watch repair shop in Grantsville, Md. He moved to Belleville to be principal at Belleville Mennonite School, pastored several churches, including Allensville Mennonite Church for 22 years, and owned and operated a watch and clock repair business and a tax preparation service.

He was a member of Allegheny Mennonite Conference since 1948, a 19-year member of Big Valley Mennonite Historical Society, and an active member of Barrville Mennonite Church, serving as elder, teaching Sunday school and occasionally preaching. He enjoyed his family, friends, astronomy, biking and genealogy.

Survivors include his wife, Leona; six children, Lois Arnold of Bronx, N.Y., John Bender and his wife, Mildred, of Greensboro, N.C., Roy Bender and his wife, Connie, of Lancaster, Titus Bender and his friend, Amy, of Belleville, Miriam Ferguson and her husband, John, of Mechanicsville, Va., and Loren Bender and his wife, Judy, of New Holland; a brother, Daniel Bender and his wife, Ora; four sisters, Nina Yoder, Mary Miller and her husband, Lloyd, Vera Yoder, and Gladys Fisher and her husband, Robert; a sister-in-law, Frieda Bender; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Ray; a grandson, Ryan Bender; a son-in-law, Roger Arnold; and a brother, Clarence.

Services were held at Maple Grove Mennonite Church. Burial was in Allensville Mennonite Cemetery.