Bender, Gerald 'Jerry'

Gerald “Jerry” Bender, husband of Connie Glass Bender and father to Craig and Kevin Bender, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2013, in Cumming, Ga. His sharp mind and strong disposition were unable to overcome the cancer consuming his body. Celebration of Life: 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, followed by a gathering from 6 to 8 p.m. at the IBEW Hall, 1211 Wiley Blvd. SW, where food will be served and friendship shared.

He is survived by his wife; sons; and two terrific grandchildren, Audrey and Matthew; brother, Robert of Ottumwa; sisters, Charlene Hansen and Sarah Breidert of Cedar Rapids and Joanne Schweitzer of Bella Vista, Ark.; and an extended family of many in-laws and nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.

He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Sept. 6, 1944, to Robert and Esther Bender where he lived his entire life until moving in 2006 to Cumming, where he truly enjoyed the warmer weather. Jerry married Connie on May 15, 1965, and they shared many great years with Jerry's wit and great sense of humor.

He was a model train enthusiast, spending many hours working on a project that was never ending. He was also involved in coaching baseball for his sons, traveling to many BMX bike races, fishing trips and enjoying Iowa basketball and football games. He had great pleasure in being chief mechanic for his son, Craig's race car and enjoyed watching the races when he could no longer work on the car. He was an electrician, member of IBEW 405 in Cedar Rapids and worked many years for Acme Electric until his early retirement due to Ataxia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Connie Frost.

Cremation services were provided by Byars Funeral Home in Cumming.

Online condolences may be left at www.byarsfuneralhome.com or under obituaries.

Published May 19, 2013 in The Gazette