Edwin Frederick Bender

Edwin “Eddie” Frederick Bender, age 91, died April 10, 2015 at Cedar Ridge Assisted Living in St. Ignace, Michigan, with his family at his side. He was born on July 31, 1923 in Raber, Michigan to Frank and Kathryn (Kusina) Bender. Eddie was one of eleven children raised on his parent’s farm in Raber. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving his country during World War II from 1942 to 1944. After returning home, he married the love of his life, Dolores Marie Pontbriand in Goetzville on February 20, 1950 and they raised five children. They have been married 65 years. Eddie retired from US Steel after working thirty years at the Cedarville Limestone Quarry. Eddie was a member of the Bender-Johnson Amvets Post #79 in Raber and a member of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in Goetzville. Eddie stayed active throughout most of his life. He played baseball in his younger years and was a member of the Raber Senior Citizens softball team for many years. He loved to listen and watch the Detroit Tigers Baseball games. Eddie also loved fishing, playing cards, woodworking, playing horseshoes, and taking naps. Eddie is survived by his wife, Dolores; five children, Debbie Forgrave of Brimley, Michigan, Jeannie (Bill) Adams of Salt Lake City, Utah, Dennis Bender of DeTour, Michigan, Linda (Milton) Adams of DeTour, and Cheryl Woods (Steve Kutzley) of Morenci, Michigan; and thirteen grandchildren, Vanessa (Darryl) Warner, Ryan Forgrave, Amy Adams Maalmi, Carrie (Clinton) Wilkinson, Billie (Brooke) Adams, Sarah (Tim) VanOudheusden, Joshua Adams, Mark (Kristin) Adams, Christie (Aaron) Schwartz, Nicole (Josh) Walker, Levi (Brittney) Bender, Amos (Carly) Woods, and Kylie Woods (Brian Schwiderson). He has thirteen great-grandchildren, Jordan, Haley, and Zane Warner; Zenedean Maalmi; Aspyn Adams; Justice and Jaden Mason; Mikayla and Clayton Walker; Macie Ann Bender; Maclean and Addison Adams; and Hadley Woods; plus three more great grandchildren on the way. Also surviving Eddie are sisters, Helen Sieloff, Genevieve Lisicki, and Eleanor (Jack) Dillon; sister-in- law, Patricia Pontbriand; brother-in-law, Harry Olszewski; and many nieces and nephews. Eddie was predeceased by his parents, Frank & Kathryn Bender; son-in-law, John Forgrave; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Bender; infant granddaughter, Jill Forgrave; sisters, Edna Galarowic, Ada Dombrowski, Ann Horembela, and Gertrude Olszewski; bothers, John Bender, Max Bender, and Frank Bender; and special brother-in-law, Norman Pontbriand. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 14, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. followed by a prayer service at 8:00 P.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, April 15 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, 12841 E. Traynor Road in Goetzville. Father Jaunuz Romanek will conduct the service. There will also be visitation at the church Wednesday morning from 9:30 until 10:30 A.M. Burial will be later this spring at St. Stanislaus Cemetery next to the church. Memorials may be made to St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, 12841 E. Traynor Rd., Goetzville, MI 49736 or Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Rd. Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033 or online at www.alz.org.

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Edwin Frederick Bender

July 31, 1923 - April 10, 2015