Raymond Bender

Raymond Bender age 78 of Homer passed away on Friday April 22, 2016 at Life Care Center of Plainwell. He was born on September 23, 1937 a son of Andrew and Margaret Bender in Litchfield. Ray graduated from Homer High School with the Class of 1957. On August 27, 1960 he married Mary McFadden of Tekonsha. The marriage ended in divorce. On December 30, 1989 he married Kathleen Holcomb of Quincy, She preceded him in death on January 14, 2015. He worked at Union Steel of Albion and Tennco in Litchfield until he retired. Ray also drove school bus for Homer School. He was a member of the National Guards in Albion. Ray was a former member of the Moose Lodge of Marshall. He enjoyed fishing, working on his farm raising crops and beef cattle but most of all spending time with his family and grandchildren.Surviving Ray are his son, Marty Bender of Richland, sister, Evelyn (Tom) Hopkins, brother Norman (Jean) Bender. 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Kathleen Bender, daughter, Sheri Etter, and a brother, Lawrence Bender.Relatives and friends will be received from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM on Tuesday April 26, 2016 at the Kempf Family Funeral Homes Homer Chapel 303 S. Hillsdale St. Homer, MI 49245. A funeral service celebrating the life of Ray will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday April 27, 2016 at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Kempf Reception Hall Homer Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.