Richard E. Bender

January 5, 1949 - October 1, 2018

Richard E. Bender, 69, of Plano, passed away Monday, October 1, 2018 at Rush Copley Medical Center, Aurora. He was born January 5, 1949 in Aurora, the son of John and Marjorie (Erwin) Bender. Richard was a graduate of Millbrook Grade School and Yorkville High School. He worked for many years at Martin Motors in Plano and at the Kendall County Health Department in Yorkville. He loved sports of any kind but especially the Chicago White Sox and finished his life as the White Sox finished the season. His nephews and nieces held a special place in his heart; he enjoyed attending their numerous events. He always carried Tootsie Rolls in a pocket for waitresses, friends and family but at home had a stash of donuts for watching TV. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Paula (Rogers) Bender; who he indulged by traveling many miles across the country and several trips to Walt Disney World; brothers, John (Deb) Bender, Yorkville, David Bender of Pearisburg, VA: cousins, Robin (John) Orr, Earlville, Shane Erwin, Streator, William (Jean) Merchant, Overland Park, KS; a sister-in-law, Roxana (David) Pekoc, Millington; a brother-in-law, Wm. “Skip” (Kimberly) Rogers, Plano. Nephews and nieces; Dave Pekoc, Three Lakes, WI, Heather Lee, Sandwich, Spring (Kieron) Barrett, Elgin, Wendi (Matt) Adams, Wausau, WI, Dusty (Aaron) Brown, Sandwich, Autumn (Craig) Starck, Sheridan, Jazan (Mike) Robinson, Earlville, Jahni (Steven) Thrall, Leland, Sunny (Tim) Vahl, Crawfordville, FL, and Danielle Bender, Brighton, TN; and great-nephews and nieces, Stephanie, Darryn, Gabrielle, Charlotte, Andrew, Gideon, Cyrus, Asher, Owen, Tucker, Craig Jr, Mya, Porter, Olivia, Kendale, Harleigh, Josie, Rowan, Lakota, Christopher, and Kaitlyn. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, a baby at birth and Harold Bender. A Memorial Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the First Baptist Church, 116 N Hale St, Plano, IL with Rev. Terry Jensen officiating. A light supper at the church will follow the service. Visitation will be prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the church. Burial will be at a later date. His family wishes to thank Rich’s primary care doctor, Kevin Egly, Sandwich for his dedicated care over the years, assistance to his wife Paula during the difficult final months and swapping occasional jokes. For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com Turner-Eighner Funeral Home 3952Turner Ave. Plano, IL 60545 630-552-3022