John Charles Bender

We cherish the life of John Charles Bender. He was called home on May 1, 2023 to be with the Lord. He was born April 28, 1946 in Trenton Kentucky to father Charles Bender, mother Willie F. (Trice) Stevenson, step-father George Stevenson. He married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart Loretta A (Smith) Bender, which he shared 56 years of love and happiness with. He was the father of two great sons; John D. Bender (Dink), Jeffery D. (Tammy) Bender, god-son Robert K (Kim) Bender.

John served in the US Army with an Honorable Discharge then join Chrysler Die Cast retiring after 30 years of service. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Church where he gave his life to Christ and was baptized January 12, 2003. He served on the Culinary Ministry, Nurse Ministry and was custodian for a short while. He loved playing slow pitch baseball, He coached his sons in Youth sports and he assisted his son coaching his Grandsons for Maple Crest Basketball Team. He enjoyed watching TV, especially Raiders football, but enjoyed watching all sports. He liked listening to Jazz, blues and especially gospel music on Sundays. He loved spending time with his Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.

John is survived by his wife Loretta A. Bender, sons John D Bender (Dink), Jeffery D. (Tammy) Bender, Godson Robert K (Kim) Bender, Kokomo, IN., Sisters; Dallas Carr (St. Louis Mo.), Debbie Stevenson (Kokomo, In.), Katie Majors (Nashville, Tn.), Brother Charles (Sharon) Bender (Indianapolis, IN.), Grandchildren Brock(Caylin) Duke, Damion(Hailey) Reed, William(Courtney) Haynes, Dameion Johnson, Jaiden Holiday, Kyla Williams, four Great- Great grandchildren and a host of Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. Brother & Sister-in-laws Floyd (Maletta) Toliver, Quintin (Kitty) Smith, Theresa Holland, Darnell (Cindy) Smith, Jim Smith (Ca).

John is preceded in death by mother Willie Stevenson, father Charles Bender, step-father George Stevenson, daughter Kimberly Bender brother Tom (Wilda) Bender, sister Alexis (James) Edmundson, mother-in-law Florena Smith, great- grand- children Alani Rose Haynes, Avilah Jhene Reed.

Uncle John will truly be missed by all especially his nieces and nephews whom he loved and spoiled. He loved everyone.

Services for John will be Saturday May 13, 2023 11:00am with public visitation from 10:00am until time of service at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church 1599 E. Sycamore St. Kokomo. Entombment with Military Rites will follow at Kokomo Memorial Park. Pastor Lonnie Earl Anderson Jr. will officiate.

Sunset Memory Garden Funeral home is helping with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to Mt. Pisgah Church. Thank You.