Howard R. Bender

York-Howard R. Bender, 84, died at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at York Hospital. He was the husband of Nancy E. (Sell) Corbett Bender with whom he celebrated a 12th wedding anniversary in February of 2007 and was the husband of the late Bertha Mae Bender. A Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 PM Saturday, January 19, 2008 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 1551 Kenneth Rd., York with the Rev. Nathan D. Conklin, Pastor of the Spring Grove Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, officiating. Burial will be in Dallastown Union Cemetery with full military rites provided by York County Veterans Honor Guard. A viewing will be held from 1-2:00 PM Saturday at the Funeral Home. Mr. Bender was born March 10, 1923, in Philadelphia. He was the son of the late Ralph and Lulu (Reuter) Bender. He was a body and fender man retiring in 1985 as the Auto Body Supervisor from D. E. Stetler, then located on South George St. in York. As a hobby, he enjoyed purchasing demolished automobiles and then rebuilding them. He also drove school bus for Central School District until approximately 1994. Mr. Bender was a US Navy veteran of World War II and served on board the Destroyer Escort USS Fechteler. While off the coast of Northern Africa his ship was sunk by a German U-boat. Mr. Bender left the safety of his lifeboat to save another sailor in distress and was adrift in the Mediterranean Sea for several hours before being rescued himself. He was a life member of the West York VFW Post #8951; was a member of the Shiloh American Legion Post #791; and had been a member of a York area remote control airplane club. A long time boat owner, he enjoyed boating and water skiing, well into his 70's, both at Long Level and Lake Meade. He also enjoyed crabbing and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay as well as camping and traveling. From 1995 to 2005 he spent the winters in Arizona. Mr. Bender also leaves his two daughters, Jeri Patterson Easterday and husband, Chuck of York and Maxine Bender Newcomer of Dover; a stepson, David and wife Cheryl Corbett of York; four grandchildren, Todd, Scott and Shane Patterson and Tracy Patterson Vazquez; a step grandson, Austin Corbett; 15 great grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Shea of Philadelphia. Two sisters, Dolly and Minnie, also preceded him in death. Memorial contributions may be made to the York County Veterans Honor Guard, P.O. Box 712, Mount Wolf, PA 17347-0712.