Bender, Arthur J. 1905-1981

BENDER, STEINS, YOKOM, COLE, MENDELSON, SWAYZE, PUTMAN, MOYNA, MUNI, LINDERMAN, OELKE, HAMMER

Posted By: Judy Moyna (email)
Date: 6/6/2010 at 23:10:26

Mr. Bender was born April 1, 1905, in Clinton, to Joseph and Caroline Steins Bender. He attended East School in Lyons and at age nine moved to Pleasant Valley, north of Mt. Carroll. He attended Mt. Carroll High School for three years and graduated from Dubuque Senior High School.

He became a concert violinist and in 1936 opened his first music store in Elkader. In 1937, he purchased the Hoffman Music Co., Clinton, which had been established during the civil war. He also owned stores in Dubuque, Guttenberg, Maquoketa, and Savanna.

He married Dorothy Yokom in August 1947 in Dubuque. She died. He married Astyre Hammer Cole Dec. 8, 1961 in Clinton. In 1952, he purchased a music store in Stirling, and operated it as Bender and Burch Music Co. In 1970 the name was changed to Bender and Block music Co., Inc.

In his early years in the music business, he developed many band programs for school districts through north east Iowa, southwest Wisconsin and northern Illinois, at a time when he was the music dealer responsible for organizing school music programs.

He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and had served several terms as senior warden and clerk of the Vestry at St. John's Episcopal Church. He was a member of Lyons Lodge No.93, AF-AM, Clinton Consistory, Kaaba Shrine, of the early members in Iowa of De Molay with his membership in Dubuque. He was a member of the National Association of Music Merchants and served on numerous committees.

He was commissioner of Boy Scouts in the Clinton-Bellevue area for many years, and helped organize the Clinton Symphony Orchestra where he played violin for several years. He was active in the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and was a charter member of the Clinton Horsemen's Association.

Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Mrs., William (Barbara) Mendelson of San Diego, Calif., Mrs. Roy (Mary) Swayze of Eutaw, Ala., Mrs. Robert (Adele) Putman of Clinton, Mrs. Jerry (Judy) Moyna of Elkader, and Mrs. Roy (Star) Muni of Bartonville, Ill.; five sons, Lyle J., Daniel J. and Brenton D., all of Clinton, Nielsen G. of Dubuque, and Curtlin G: of Hays, Kan.; 19 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

~Clinton (Iowa) Herold, August 11, 1981 (P. 10)
~Notes:
He married Irene Mary Linderman about 1926. They were the parents of Barbara, Mary, and Adele.

He married Marinette June Oelke in 1938. They were the parents of Judy.

He and Dorothy Yokom adopted Dan and Lyle Bender.

Astrye Hammer and Glenn Harry Cole were the parents of Star, Nielsen, Curtin, and Brenton. They were adopted by Arthur Bender.