OBIT: Mildred M. (Miller) BENDER, 2008, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA
  
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Meyersdale Library
  Transcribed and proofread by Barry and Betty Christy.
  jhurl@meyersdalelibrary.org
  
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  BENDER, Mildred M.  01/24/08  Daily American
  
    Mildred M. Bender, 79, Meyersdale, died Jan. 23, 2008,  at her home. She was
  born July 5, 1928, in Meyersdale,  a daughter of the late Evan J. and Iva
  (Maust) Miller. She  is preceded in death by daughter, Judy; and son, Titus
  James;  and a sister, Norma Yoder. She is survived by her husband,  Elam C.
  Bender, whom she married June 1, 1952; children,  Karen, wife of Ray Israel,
  Eighty Four; E. Clifford (Buzz) and his wife, Laurel, Low Point, Ill.; Candy,
  wife of Darrell Yoder,  Elkhart, Ind.; Norma Schrock, wife of Kirk Woellert,
  Arlington,  Va.; Tim and his wife, Cheryl, Accident, Md.; and Tom and his wife,
  Laurie, Meyersdale; 12 grandchildren; and one great- grandchild. She is a sister
  of Marie, wife of Paul H. Yoder,  Grantsville, Md.; and Mark Miller and his
  wife, Ardis, Denver.  She attended St. Paul School. After taking classes at
  Eastern  Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Va., she taught at the  Crossroads
  School. In 1952, she was baptized and became a  member of the Oak Dale
  Mennonite Church, where she taught Sunday school, Bible school and was a member
  of the Women's  Bible Study. For many years, she participated in the Springs 
  Folk Festival and the Meyersdale Maple Festival pageant.  For 37 years, Mildred
  and Elam traveled with the Appalachian Wagon Train, as an annual event. Elam and
  Mildred made  reaching out to others a priority. They loved and cared for
  their  grandchildren and "adopted" grandchild, Brody Sanner. They  opened the
  First Mental Health Group Home in Somerset  County. Mildred was a weekly
  visitor and volunteer at Meyersdale  Nursing Home. Mildred had a gentle spirit
  and quiet beauty and was known for her generous hospitality. She will be
  greatly missed by her family and those who knew her. Friends will be  received
  from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 2 to 4 and  7 to 9 p.m. Friday at
  the M. Ray Leckemby Funeral Home, Meyersdale. On Saturday, she will be taken to
  the Oak Dale Mennonite Church to lie in state from 12 to 2 p.m., the time of 
  service. The Rev. Joe Byler officiating. Interment Oakdale Cemetery.