Donald Eugene Bender

Donald Eugene Bender November 2, 2020 Wichita, Kansas 85, brick and stone mason, passed away Monday, November 2, 2020. Visitation, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 6, at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Rosary, 10:00 a.m.; Funeral Mass, 10:30 a.m., both Saturday, November 7, at St. Jude Catholic Church. Donald was a devoted husband to Jeannette, his wife of 59 years. He spent eight years in the Naval Reserves; was a member of Local Bricklayers Union #2; an excellent gardener; lake and fly fisherman and an avid bird hunter. He loved spending time with his family and BBQing ribs and bartending for them. He loved to travel and go on cruises from Alaska to the Caribbean. Preceded in death by parents, Bernhardt and Rose Bender; sister, Faye (Chuck) Petty. Survivors: wife, Jeannette; sons, Jonathan and Dale Bender; daughters, Delores “Dee” (Matthew) Brandt and Lois (Boyce ) Soward; sisters, Kathy (John) Roth and Rena (Charles) Chesnut; granddaughters, Tabatha (Dylan Buessing) Bender, Melissa (Cody) Arnett, Jessica, Alexa and Gabriella Soward; grandsons, Tanner (Tara) Brandt, Tyler (Madison) Brandt, Kyle Soward, Jacob and Benjamin Bender; great-granddaughter, Autumn Arnett. A memorial has been established with St. Jude Catholic Church, 3030 N. Amidon, Wichita, KS 67204. Downing and Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel.