Obituary of Steve Bender, Jr.

BENDER – Steve, Jr. “Pappy Steve”, 89, of Nanty Glo, passed away Nov. 15, 2019 at home. Born Sept. 11, 1930 in New York, son of the late Stephen, Sr. and Zuzanna (Mrug) Bender. Preceeded in death by grandson, Nathan Bender; brother, Joseph; three infant siblings; and brother in law, James Farabaugh. Survived by wife, Florence, to whom he married on November 15, 1958 at St. Nicholas Church. Steve passed on their 61st Wedding Anniversary. Also survived by children, Stephen (Lori) Bender; Michael (Sherry) Bender; Barbara (Paul) Alexander; Jennifer (Scott) Clossin; Lynn (Matthew) Miller; and Suzanne (Joe) Clark. Grandchildren, Matthew; Erin (Jeff); Joel (Stephanie); Jill; Eric; Lynn (Clayton); Andrew (Megan); Emily; and Ryan. Great Grandson, Jaxon. Brother of Kathryn Farabaugh and Mary Hall; and also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Nanty Glo. US Army veteran. Member of Nanty Glo VFW. Retired from Bethlehem Mines with 48 years of service. Secretary/treasurer for UMWA for 12 years. Steve enjoyed gardening, hunting and spending time with Aldo and Dolly at their camp, “The Hilltoppers.” Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Nanty Glo, where Parastas will be sung at 7 p.m. that evening. Brief Service at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, followed by Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Church, the Rev. Dr. Robert Oravetz. Interment, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Nanty Glo. Military Rite by Nanty Glo, Twin Rocks and Vintondale Area Veterans Ritual Team. In lieu of flowers donations in Steve’s memory may be made to St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church.