Stanley Orin Bender

Stanley Orin Bender, 90, of Fort Wayne, died Monday, March 8, 2021 at his home. Stan was born May 27, 1930 in Elkhart, Indiana. He was the son of Russell and Edna Mae (Weldy) Bender. He had three brothers, Rex Deloss who has passed away, Jim Keith and Richard Bender. Stan graduated from Elkhart High School in 1948 and joined the United States Marine Corps. He served four years as a Marine earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. Stan took part in the Korean Inchon Landing and fought at the Chosin Reservoir and received three Purple Hearts during his service. Upon discharge he married Norma Jean "Mouse" Lytell, Nov. 24, 1951 and the couple had three sons, Steven Greg (Darlene), Mark Stephen who has passed away and Gregg Allen Bender. Stan began his career in 1952 with CTS Corporation in Elkhart and earned a college degree with the company. He rose through the ranks and began a management path transferring to Asheville, North Carolina in 1961, Berne, Indiana in 1964, and then became president of CTS Tool & Die in Fort Wayne in 1971. He had 16 patents, and was on the research and development team for the television remote control. He also holds patents for the hearing aid and heart pacemaker. Stan always became involved in the communities he lived and often found a leadership role. In Berne, he spearheaded the effort to get lights for the football field so the South Adams Starfires could play Friday night games. In Fort Wayne, he became president of the Allen County Mental Health Board and he also served as president of the Kekionga Shores neighborhood association, where the family lived. After retiring from CTS in 1987, he was called back by the company to assume consulting and management roles at subsidiaries around the world in such far-reaching places as Singapore, Hong Kong, or around the United States. The couple traveled extensively visiting the Holy Land, traveling Europe and China, or wintering in Florida. Stan loved water sports and spent most summers in Northern Wisconsin skiing, fishing, and enjoying the beauty of the North Woods with family and friends. He loved to design and build things and was as comfortable with a hammer and saw in hand as he was driving a boat. He also loved to watch Notre Dame football and followed the Irish through thick and thin. He loved his family and never missed a football game, wrestling match, or swimming meet his sons participated in. He was currently a member of The Chapel, but had been a founding member of Aboite Missionary Church soon after moving to Fort Wayne. He is survived by his wife; two sons; two brothers; along with grandchildren, Laura (Jake) Hattaway, and Sarah; and great-grandchild, Layla; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at The Chapel, 2505 West Hamilton Road South, Fort Wayne, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Chapel, Allen County SPCA, or the Rescue Mission.