Herbert Ellis Bender passed away at home on June 10, 2012. He was born October 18, 1928, at Mabie, WV, a son of the late Jesse and Lillie Bender. He is survived by a twin brother, Hobert Bender and a sister-in-law Margaret Bender of Belington. On Friday, October 13, 1950, he married Marlene Edith Streets, who preceded him in death in 2000. He was preceded in death by one child, Derek Vaughn Bender. Eight children from that happy marriage survive: Brenda Bender of Belington, Roger Bender of Philippi, Stuart Bender of Belington, Kevin Bender of Salem, Cheryl Ware of Elkins, Paulette Barbara “Barbie” Bender of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Herbert Loren “Henry” Bender of Philippi, and Darryl “Keith” Bender of Belington. Herbert is also survived by four daughters-in-law: Patricia Bender, Arla Bender, Sandy Bender, and Nichole Bender; and one son-in-law, Bob Price. His twelve grandchildren include Chastity Golden and husband David, Tanya Bender, Shalan Payton and husband Darrell “Andy,” Monica Lawrence and husband John, Crystal White and husband Dick, Christina Bender and fiancé Ben Compton, Kevin Bender and wife Amanda, Jaden Bender, Maya Bender, Cameron Webber, Jacob Webber, and Eden Bender. He was also blessed with fifteen truly great-grandchildren: TJ Wayne Phillips, Ryan George, Timothy Johnson, MacKenzie Kittle, Taylor Lawrence, Caleb Kittle, Randal Payton, Samantha George, Cheyanne George, Tyler Lawrence, Eli Golden, Jenelle Payton, Beth Swords, Tasha Bledsoe, and Josh Fugate. There are also 7 great-great grandchildren. Herbert, a member of the Belington Church of Christ, was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and a hard worker always. He spent long hours working at a sawmill and mowing lawns in his spare time to support a growing family. In 1986, Herbert retired from Ware Sawmill in Belington. Since then, he enjoyed spending time outdoors, attending auctions, watching wrestling, and most of all, laughing quietly with friends, family, and his dog, Spot. The family welcomes friends at Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins on Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, June 14, 2012 at the Belington Church of Christ. Evangelist Albert Farley and Evangelist Mike Phillips will officiate and interment will follow in Fraternal Cemetery near Belington where full military rites will be accorded at the gravesite by members of Belington American Legion Post 96. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mountain Hospice, 1600 Crim Avenue, Belington, WV 26520 in memory of Mr. Bender. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Herbert Ellis Bender. Condolences maybe expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.
