George D. Bender

George D. Bender, age 78, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014 at 1:40 a.m. in Washington County Hospital, Nashville, Ill.

George was born on Sept. 30, 1935 in Perry County, Ill., a son to William J. and Charlotte (Loos) Bender. On April 28, 1962, he married Bernice Wildermuth in St. Paul United Church of Christ, Pinckneyville, Ill. and she survives. George was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Pinckneyville, Ill., worked at Decca Records for 15 years and was a farmer all of his adult life. He was a member of the St. Paul United Church of Christ Church Council and the Farm Bureau. George enjoyed hunting, spending time outdoors and dearly loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice Bender of Pinckneyville, Ill.; one brother, William L. (Deloris) Bender of Pinckneyville, Ill.; brothers-in-law, Elvis H. Wildermuth of Perryville, Mo., Wayne L. (Dorothy) Wildermuth of Pinckneyville, Ill. and Gary L. Timpner of Pinckneyville, Ill.; sister-in-law, Elda Klausing of Pinckneyville, Ill.; special nieces and nephews, William J. Bender, Beth Crews (John Priebe), Linda (Kevin) Klingenberg, Brian (Debra) Bender and Brenda Bender; nieces and nephews, Cindy (Brette) Dorris, Leanna Kellerman, Sharon (Jim) Carani, Brent (Shannon) Wildermuth, Richard (Carrie) Wildermuth, Shelley (Shawn) Macbeth, Angie (Mike) Przygoda, Jeremy (Jamie) Wildermuth and Jenny (Dirk) Silbe; several great nieces; nephews; cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Larry Bender; two sisters, Marjorie Bender and a sister in infancy and a sister-in-law, Irma Timpner.

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Cindy Bean officiating. Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ, Pinckneyville, Ill. or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.