Russell Bender

Russell A. Bender, 91, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Penn Hall. Born October 29, 1924 in Chambersburg, he was a son of the late William and Laura (Miller) Bender.

Russell was a 1943 graduate of the former Quincy High School. A U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, he served honorably in the European Theatre as a tail gunner in a B26 Bomber during World War II and flew in the bombing raid that helped allow American troops to capture the Ludendorf Bridge in Remagen, Germany and establish an allied presence East of the Rhine River. Russell was employed with the Boro of Chambersburg as the Superintendent of the Gas Dept. until his retirement in 1989. He was previously employed with Penn Fuel Gas Co. Russell was a member of Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW where he was active for many years in the honor guard and was a Past Commander, BPO Elks Lodge 600, Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion, and the Hume McNeal Byers Post 224 AmVets, all in Chambersburg. He was also a life member of the Mont Alto Volunteer Fire Dept.

Russell is survived by his wife of 64 years, Miriam A. “Bunny” (Shockey) Bender, whom he married on September 16, 1951; two children, Connie Cook (husband Alan) of Linglestown, PA, and Jeffrey Bender (wife Cindy) of Fayetteville, PA; three grandchildren, Jessica LeDonne (husband Mike) of Pittsburgh, PA, Samantha Bender of Chambersburg, and Justin Bender (wife Shelly) of Fayetteville; five great-grandchildren, Kai, Jude, Lucy, Colton, and Mason; and two siblings, Esther Schultz and Owen Bender, both of Chambersburg. In addition to his parents, Russell is preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

A funeral service to honor Russell’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 28, 2016 in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Military Honors will be provided by the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Honor Guard. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment at Parklawns Memorial Gardens will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hearland Hospice, 1200 Walnut Bottom Road, Suite 302, Carlisle, PA 17013 or to Menno Haven Benevolent Care, c/o Menno Haven Gift Planning Services, 2011 Scotland Ave. Chambersburg, PA 17201.