Arthur Bender

Arthur Bender, 84, a lifelong resident of Lebanon, went to his eternal home on Friday May 23, 2003 at St. Joseph Living Center, Windham. He was born July 6, 1918 the son of Johann and Justina (Schachinger) Bender. He was a life member and past president of the Redeemer Lutheran Church. One of his greatest pleasures was grooming the lawn of the church and his property next door. With the help of a former local radio station, Arthur was instrumental in introducing the annual German Christmas and Easter services held at the church. During the course of his life, he worked as a farmer in Lebanon and also worked at Pratt & Whitney, CL&P and Hamilton Standard. In 1959 he joined his brother Arnold at Bender's Oil Co. In 1970 he became the sole owner and was later joined by his 3 sons who took over the business at his retirement. Arthur was a charter member of the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Dept. and was a Past President and member of the Lebanon Lions Club for over 40 years. He had served on the Lebanon Board of Tax Review and on the building committees for the first addition to the Lebanon Elementary School and for the Town Hall. For many years, he was a dedicated blood donor. Arthur enjoyed camping and traveling with his wife Helen, covering all but 2 states of the U.S.A., plus extensive travel in Europe. He was a charter member of the German American Social Club of Willimantic and was a member of the Gasthaus Dancers, a group of costumed German shoe-slapping dancers who performed at nursing homes and various clubs throughout New England. He is survived by his wife Helen (Laibrandt) Bender. On May 30th they would have celebrated their 57th anniversary. He is also survived by 4 sons ; Ronald and his wife Deborah, Charles, James and Kurt and his wife Mary Beth, 5 grandchildren; Joanna, Daniel, Maria, Scott and Joseph, a brother Edward and his wife Clara and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Walter and Arnold and a sister Helen Card Rogers. His family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic on Monday from 5:00 to 8:00pm. His funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00am at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, corner of Village Hill Rd. and Rte 289 Lebanon, with the Rev. Scott Schuett officiating. Burial will follow in the New Lebanon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial donations to the Building Fund of the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 361 Beaumont Highway, Lebanon, Ct. 06249 or to the Helen Rogers Scholarship Fund at Lyman Memorial High School, c/o Linda Heatherly, 917 Exeter Rd., Lebanon, Ct. 06249. Please visit at www.potterfh.com for directions and online expressions of sympathy.