LAVALE,MARYLAND -- Howard Merle Bender II, age 64, of 10904 Bradour Ave., LaVale, died Friday, April 30, 1999, at Memorial Hospital.

He was born Feb. 1, 1935, in Flintstone, the son of the late Howard M. Bender I and Florence Diebert. He is also preceded in death by one son, Howard ``Pete'' Bender; and one brother, Leonard Diebert.

Mr. Bender was Methodist by faith. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 33 years, where he retired. He was a member of Fort Cumberland Post #13 American Legion, the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohr Lodge #131, A.F. & A.M., and Scottish Rite Bodies.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Weicht) Bender; one son, William Bender, LaVale; one step-son, Larry Westfall, Cumberland; two daughters, Patricia ``Patty'' Bible, Oldtown, Susie Sites, Flintstone; five step-daughters, Nancy Wolford, Frostburg, Karen Burton, Cumberland, Joyce Westfall, Frostburg, Cheryl Lindner, Cumberland, Vicky Westfall, Jenson Beach, Fla.; 19 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Friends will be received on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Leasure-Stein Funeral Home, 230 Baltimore Ave., Cumberland.

Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home on Monday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Fred Iser officiating.

Interment will be in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery at Rocky Gap.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by the local Combined Veterans Honor Guard.

Ohr Lodge #131 will hold a memorial service at the funeral home on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Publication Date:
Saturday, May 01, 1999
Cumberland Times News
Cumberland,Maryland
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BENDER, HOWARD M II
SGT US ARMY
VIETNAM, PERSIAN GULF
DATE OF BIRTH: 02/01/1935
DATE OF DEATH: 04/30/1999
BURIED AT: SECTION I-5 ROW 6 SITE 9
ROCKY GAP VETERANS CEMETERY
14205 PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD, NE FLINTSTONE, MD 21530
(301) 777-2185