Orris H. Bender

Orris H. Bender, of Clarksville, IN was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at Westminster Village, in Clarksville, IN. A memorial reception will be held 1:00 - 4:00 PM on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Eastside Christian Church, 2319 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville, IN.

Orrie was son of George R. and Cecelia K. Bender of Cleveland, OH. He received his civil engineering degree from Michigan State University. During his senior year, he was captain of the MSU wrestling team, became the Big Ten champion, earned second place in NCAA tournament, and was named MSU Student-Athlete of the Year. He married his high school sweetheart Shirley J. Besch and raised four sons. He worked in Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, retiring from Essroc Cement Company in Speed, IN.

For many years Orrie provided community volunteer work in the Kentuckiana area through AARP Tax-Aid, Habitat for Humanity, Repair Affair, O'Bannon Woods, and Nature Conservancy.

Years after losing his wife Shirley to cancer, he met and married Doris B. Rigsby of Clarksville, IN. Through Doris, he became an active member of Eastside Christian Church.

Orrie was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley and his second wife Doris. He is survived by his sons: Tim Bender and his wife Gail of Okemos, MI, Michael Bender and his wife Denise of Denver, CO, David Bender and his wife Gail of Saginaw, MI, and Jeffrey Bender and his wife Alisha of Redondo Beach, CA; along with 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

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