Joseph Ellis Bender, 31 May 1932 - 16 Sept 2016

BENDER, BALES, MONTROSS, STOWELL

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 11/4/2016 at 11:18:15

Graveside service for Joseph E. Bender, 84, Paris, Texas, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Community Cemetery, Millersburg. He entered his eternal home surrounded by his family on Sept. 16, 2016, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Powell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Ellis Bender was born on May 31, 1932, the son of Albert and Gertrude (Bales) Bender on their farm near Millersburg. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.

Joseph married the love of his life, Jeanette Montross, on June 15, 1957, and they made their home in Cedar Rapids. He worked at Iowa Precision Industries for over 30 years before retiring and moving to Paris, Texas, in 1999.

He was a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign War and the Red River Valley Antique Tractor Club. He served on the boards of the Valley of the Caddo Museum and Cultural Center and the Lamar County Historical Museum. He enjoyed volunteer work and donated many hours to Paris/Lamar County Habitat for Humanity, Friends of the Maxey House, Valley of the Caddo Archeological Society, Lamar County Master Gardeners and RSVP. He was a devout Christian and a member of First United Methodist Church in Paris.

Joseph loved to spend time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed traveling and took many wonderful trips over the years. Joseph enjoyed spending time on his ranch in Blossom taking care of his many animals. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Bender is survived by his wife and four children whom he loved dearly, Greg (Mary), Magnolia, Texas; Mark, Blossom; Julie, Paris, and Christine (Dana Stowell), Blossom. He was also blessed with four grandchildren, Erik Bender, Magnolia, and Logan, Elizabeth and Emilee Stowell, Blossom, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Dean and James Bender

The Williamsburg Journal Tribune, 05 Oct 2016, pg5