Obituary of James H. Bender

BENDER - James H., 72, Loretto, went to be with the Lord Dec. 20, 2005. Born July 23, 1933, in Carrolltown, the son of Dennis and Marie (Yeckley) Bender. Preceded in death by parents; brothers, Hayden, Paul, Harold, Edward, Dennis, Norman and Sherman; sisters, Othella Farabaugh, Catherine Stock and Marion Scanlan; stepsisters, Margaret Bender and Doris Wike; and son-in-law, William Smith. Survived by wife of 30 years, Avanell (Kim) Bender; children, Kenneth, married to former Debbie Umholtz, Carrolltown; Jeffrey, married to former Vicki Morgan, Loretto; Connie, wife of Mike Brosch, Carrolltown; Theresa, wife of Paul Krumbine, Johnstown; James, married to former Joanie Boggetta, Loretto; Robert Bender, Johnstown; LeRoy, married to former Kathy Conklin, Ebensburg; Joy (special friend, Greg Roberts), Loretto; stepchildren, Rick Belchick, Ebensburg; Sue Smith, Ebensburg, and Lisa Hare, Philadelphia; grandchildren, Keri Claar, Leann Hessler, Jeff Bender, Mark Bender, Kristy Lanzendorfer, Brad Bender, Melissa Bender, Ryan LaPorte, Bobby Jo Bender, James H. Bender II and Kimberli Smith; and seven great-grandchildren. Brother of Louella (Charles) Gauntner, Hastings; Elvie Gillette, Ebensburg; Jane Bearer, Ebensburg; Denise (Joe) Fox, Patton; Dwight (Peggy) Bender, Patton; Betty (Patrick) Leslie, Nicktown; and Ronald (Janet) Leslie, Cherry Tree; Albert, Eugene and Herbert Good, all of Ohio. Also survived by special family friend and "adopted daughter," Courtney Schmidt, and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Moriconi Funeral Home Inc., Northern Cambria, where vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Carrolltown. Committal, St. Benedict Cemetery.