LaVon M. Bender

LaVon M. Bender, 92 of Waterloo, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024 at Astral in Auburn.  

He was born on August 8, 1932 in Franklin Township in DeKalb County to Albert M. and Mary M. (Dietzen) Bender.  LaVon graduated from Ashley High School with the class of 1950. 

Mr. Bender honorably served his country in The United States Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955.   He was able to go on The Honor Flight on May 23, 2018.  

He married Rosemary A. Miller on July 27, 1957, in the St. Michael Catholic Church in Waterloo.  She preceded him in death on August 11, 2016. 

After returning from the Korean War, he returned to Waterloo to farm with his father, farming his entire life.   He also worked part time at Crane Edmonds in Butler for 13 years. 

Mr. Bender was a lifetime member of the St. Michael Catholic Church where he served on the parish council and he served as an usher. He was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Cedar Creek Antique Engine & Tractor Association Club and a member of Butler American Legion Post 202.  Anyone who knew LaVon knows that he sure enjoyed a good game of euchre.   

Survivors include: 

Daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline M. and Troy Freeman of Waterloo. 

Daughter-in-law, Denise M. Bender of Delphi, Indiana. 

Five grandchildren and their spouses, Katherine and Nicholas Grate, Kyle and Kathleen Bender, Rodney and Maggie Freeman, Kristopher and Alanna Bender, and Karson Bender and his fiance' Brittney Burnett. 

11 great grandchildren, Alex, Paisley, Blaine, Kace, Korie, Brody, Khylar, Kolt, Wayde, Kenzie & Kohen. 

Sister, Rita Hamman of Casa Grande, Arizona. 

Sister, Annette Wible of Auburn.   

LaVon was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rosemary; son, Kevin M. Bender; three sisters, Celestine Trapp, DeVota Synesall and Mary Lou Bender; two half-sisters-in-law, Sister Catherine Hohl and Annabelle (Hohl) Gee and two half-brothers-in-law, Herman Hohl and Francis Hohl. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October, 9, 2024 at the St. Michael Catholic Church, 1098 CR 39 in Waterloo with Father Levi Knwocha officiating. 

Burial with Military Honors will take place following the Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.  

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 875 South Wayne Street in Waterloo, with the recital of the Rosary taking place at 5:30 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home.  

Memorials may be directed to the St. Michael Catholic Church for Masses or to The Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, P.O. Box 5, Huntertown, Indiana 46748. 

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fellerandclark.com and on our Facebook page at Feller and Clark Funeral Home. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home of Waterloo.

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