Bender. - Samuel M., son of Michael and Catharine Bender, was born in Somerset Co., Pa., Jan. 30, 1859; died at his home in Iowa Co., Iowa, April 5, 1925; aged 66 y. 2 m. 6 d. At the age of five years, he came with his parents to Iowa, which state had been his home ever since. In boyhood days he united with the Mennonite Church, of which he was a faithful member until his death. On Nov. 30, 1884, he was married to Salome Yoder. This union was blessed with 2 sons and 5 daughters, the two oldest daughters and the youngest son having preceded their father in the eternal world. The remaining children are: Irving Bender, Mrs. Emery Brenneman, Mrs. Loyal Swartzendruber, and Mrs. Erlis Swartzendruber, who with their mother and 8 grandchildren mourn the loss of husband and father. He also leaves two brothers and one sister (John M. Bender, Daniel M. Bender, Mrs. Charlie Murphy), two half-brothers and two half-sisters (Eli M. Bender, William M. Bender, Mrs. Edith Schake, Mrs. Charles Wolfe, five step-brothers and sisters, and many other sorrowing relatives and friends. Bro. Bender had always been blessed with good health until ten years ago, when he began to fail. On last Aug. 16, he was operated on for appendicitis, from which he never fully recovered. For a few months afterward he was able to be about, and his condition was such that his complete recovery seemed quite probable, but during the last few months he again gradually failed, his condition becoming such that for the last four weeks he was bedfast. On the morning of the day upon which he died he called for his children and their families, desiring to have a last season of worship with them, expressing himself that he hoped they would all be faithful. He then anxiously and confidently waited for the time of his departure. Funeral services were held April 8, at the West Union Mennonite Church, conducted by ministers of his home congregation. Text, Rom. 8:22,23. Interment in the nearby cemetery. Gospel Herald, Volume XVIII, Nov. 5-April 30, 1925, pages 94,95.