Donald W. Bender

donald bender

September 4, 1940 ~ March 18, 2019

Donald W. Bender, age 78, of Jefferson, passed away peacefully March 18, 2019 at Jefferson Healthcare and Rehab. He was born September 4, 1940 in Hacker Valley, WV to John and Eva (Fisher) Bender. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army. Don worked many years as a machinist, working for Rotor-Tool and later with Roll Kraft, retiring in 2002. He raised quarter horses and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association for many years; Don enjoyed making country music. He was a natural musician, playing keys, guitar and banjo and enjoyed writing original music. He is survived by his daughters, Terri Lee Barker, Sandra (Mike) Galloway, Angela (Tom) King and Erica Bender; grandchildren, David, Amber, Jason, Mandi, Derek, Michael, Audrey, Madylin, Lily and Jasmine; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Mariah, Malia, Jake, Olivia, Leslie, Derek, II, Collin and (Miss M); and a great-great granddaughter, Willow. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Geneva Kirby, Jennifer Louise Bender and Carol Ann Bender; siblings, Ruby Skeens, Anne Channels, Ruth Bright, Hartzel Bender, William Bender and Alberta Rose Lipps. Family will receive friends Friday, March 22, 2019 from 5 - 8p.m. at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 175 S. Broadway, Geneva, OH. A funeral service will be Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. in the funeral home. Final resting place will be Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Geneva, where Geneva V.F.W. will present military honors. Friends may leave condolences online at www.behmfuneral.com

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  1. My earliest memories of Don was him singing throughout the house while Dinky and I set up empty boxes and clothes baskets to jump over like we were riding horses and he would hoot and hollar for us. I spent alot of time around him growing up, he definitely had some good jokes and was a master prankster for forty years he always got me…lol although after about 20 yrs I could get him every now and then. Once when he tried to teach me to play the harmonica and my music skills weren't up to par he gave me a pan and a wooden spoon to teach me the beat of the music….well lets say he didn't try that anymore..lol. He was always welcoming and would try to feed me some hot peppers or something odd to get a rise out of me..and if he came at you sayin “here try this” you knew it was hottt and you better run..lol. I admired him for how hard working he was, and never gave up, he was generous, he had way of getting an apple pie out of me whenever he could..lol it amazed me how he could grow a garden in clay, and could sling some hay. Don was proud of his girls that's for sure! He loved his grandbabies with all his heart. I miss our daily talks at “the yellow barn” the sun rise and sunsets fightin the mosquitos for the last bit of daylight. We had many laughs, we have butted heads, we have cried together, shared loss, dreams and love for horses. Rest easy Don

  2. Don was my youngest brother… I have so many great memories of our time together… sending hugs & prayers to the girls… Harley

  3. To all of the family our thoughts prayers are with you at this very heart breaking time. May God comfort you. Love, Norman and Mary( Chapman) McCourt.

  4. We shared the same birthday see great people were born in September love and miss you till later i know I'll see you again


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