- Date Of Death: December 3, 2009
- State: Indiana
Milo Donald “Mike” Bender, 77, of Elkhart, died Thursday morning, Dec. 3, 2009, in Elkhart after a brief illness. He was born on Oct. 21, 1932, in Elkhart to the late Milo T. and Wanda J. (Mercer) Bender. On July 18, 1964, he married Marie Frances Bertch in South Bend.
Surviving are his wife, Marie F. Bender of Elkhart; sons John (Becky) Bender, Terry Bender and Steven Bertch, all of Elkhart; daughters Pam Bertch-Robinson of Elkhart and Susan (Bob) Bertch-Sowers of Stevensville, Mich.; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren survive, as well as sisters Betty Jo (Richard) Brown and Jean Merry; his brothers, Thomas E. (Anna Jane) Bender and Charles (Karen) Bender, all of Elkhart; and one sister-in-law, Arlene Cox of Edwardsburg, Mich.
Mike was preceded in death by one brother, Bill Cox, and one sister, Judith Cox. Mike was the owner/operator of Air Equipment Sales and Service in Elkhart for many years. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the DAV Chapter 19 and a life member of the American Legion. Mike was also a 32nd degree Mason with Kane Lodge 183 F & AM and South Bend Valley of Scottish Rite. He also was a member of the Evening Optimist Club, Elkhart Moose Lodge 599 and the FOP.
Mike enjoyed traveling, bowling and eating at different restaurants throughout his travels.
