Robert Lee “Bob” Bender Sr., 69, a former resident of Randolph County and a resident of Akron, Ohio, for the past 35 years, passed away Monday, June 3, 2002, at 3:10 p.m. in the City Hospital in Akron, Ohio. He had been in his usual health and death was sudden and unexpected.
He was born Feb. 21, 1933, at Valley Bend, a son of the late Richard Bender and Flora White Bender Strawder.
He was married to the former Frances Shoulders, his wife of 42 years, who preceded him in death on June 16, 2000.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Cecil Strawder; and two brothers, Kenneth and Jim Bender.
He is survived by his children, Kathy M. (Jim) Shreve of Elkins, Robert L. (Rose) Bender Jr., Randall W. (Liz) Bender, Stephen H. Bender, Beverly I. (Jim) Whitt, Larry F. Bender, Desirea M. (Matt) Ludwig and Calista M. Bender, all of Akron, Ohio; four brothers, Paul, Roger, Eugene and Barry Bender; three sisters, Kathleen Miller, Annamae Shoulders and Pauline Hagerty; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bender was an iron worker at the Summit Steel Co. in Akron, Ohio, until becoming disabled. His hobbies included camping, fishing and bingo.
He was a veteran having served with the U.S. Marine Corp. during the Korean Conflict.
Friends will be received at F.E. Runner Funeral Home on Saturday after 6 p.m. On Sunday, Mr. Bender will be moved to Laurel Fork Church at Adrian in Upshur County for visitation from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m., the funeral hour. Pastor Franklin Shreve of the Clarksburg area will officiate. Interment will follow in Laurel Fork Cemetery at Adrian in Upshur County. Full military services will be accorded at the gravesite by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3663 and the American Legion Post 7, both of Buckhannon.
