Donald Lee Bender

BENDER, Donald - Of Swartz Creek, age 75, died September 8, 2010 at his residence. Funeral services will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Ballenger Highway in Flint. Visitation will be from 1 - 2 p.m. on Friday at the church with the Funeral Service at 2 p.m. We will celebrate Don�s life following the Service with a Wake. Don was born on June 14, 1935 in Flint, Michigan to Norman and Hilda (Gueldenzopf) Bender. He lived his entire life in the Flint area and he was graduated from Bendle High School in 1953 and served in the Michigan National Guard. While in the National Guard, he took part in the rescue and recovery of victims of the Beecher Tornado in 1953. He and Mary Jane Bade were united in marriage on November 10, 1962. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife Mary Jane and sons Bryan (Cathy) and David (Stacia); 3 grandchildren Ashley, Michael, and Christian. Sister Shirley Kenney (husband William of The Villages, Florida). Also surviving are brother-in-law Patrick Bade and his wife Annora of Hale, MI and sister-in law Kareyn Bade of Davison. Don also leaves several nieces, nephews and cousins including two of their special young great-nieces that he and Mary Jane babysat, Payton and Paige. Close friends included Ray and Carol, Lloyd and Alene, Beaver and Elaine, Walt and Jean, and Rex and Donna along with all of their great neighbors! Don enjoyed spending time with his family, especially going hunting and fishing on Hubbard Lake and at the Pine Stump with his sons and grandsons. Don began working at Fisher Body and then retired from General Motors in 1993 after working for 38 years at Plant 10 (Chevy in the Hole). He was a Skilled Trades - Welder Repair at Chevrolet Manufacturing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Brian�s House/McLaren Hospice or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org. Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

Visitation

Friday, September 10, 2010 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
St Paul Lutheran Church
402 S. Ballenger Hwy Flint 48532, United States

Funeral Service

Friday, September 10, 2010 2:00 PM
St Paul Lutheran Church
402 S. Ballenger Hwy Flint 48532, United States