John Bendel

John served in the United States Army from 1945 – 1948, and was honorably discharged. He then served in the United States Air Force from 1951 – 1955 and was also honorably discharged.

John married Rita Riggle on September 4, 1953 at the First Baptist Church in Dexter, New Mexico and they enjoyed sixty years together. They have three children Patti, Melody and Brian and four grandchildren, Zeke, Mandi, Ashley and Holly.

John worked for US Steel-Irvin Works in Dravosberg, Pennsylvania from 1955 – 1959 with two military breaks. He also worked for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Greeley from 1959 until his retirement in 1987 as an Operations Manager.

John was a man of God, Family and Country and lived each day with a tremendous love and dedication to each. He was a member and Deacon at Hillside Baptist Church.

John is survived by his wife, Rita; two daughters, Patti Fine and Melody Coleman (Mark) both of Greeley; a son, Brian Bendel (Helene) of Eustis, Florida; four grandchildren, Zeke Coleman (Bridgette) of Anchorage, Alaska, Mandi Lalonde (Trent) of Greeley, Ashley Kiplinger (Red) of Greeley, and Holly Norris (Bryan) of Severance; three great-grandchildren, Brodie, Lotte, and Quinn; and three sisters, Peggy Clark of Finleyville, Pennsylvania, May Ottey of Charlotte Hall, Maryland, and Shirley Soncini (Jack) of Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania. He is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Todd Fine and ten siblings.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 1 at Stoddard Funeral Home. Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 2 at Hillside Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to Hospice of Northern Colorado or Hillside Baptist Church in care of Stoddard Funeral Home 3205 W. 28th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.stoddardsunset.com.