Thomas Bender

Thomas R. Bender, age 92, passed away on March 8, 2018. Tom was born in Portsmouth, Ohio to late Ivan and Thelma Bender on July 29, 1925. They preceded him in death, as did his younger sister, Betty Griffin. The Bender family moved to Lancaster, Ohio in 1933, when Ivan took a position with Irving Drew Shoe Factory.

Tom, as a junior in high school, joined the Navy in February of 1944. He served on the U.S.S. Enterprise until the end of the war. He was discharged in 1946 and returned to Lancaster High School and graduated in 1947. He married Betty Hannan who preceded Tom in death, passing away in 2005.

Betty and Tom had two beloved daughters, Belinda, Wife of James Rose and June, wife of Rick Axline. The girls currently reside in the Columbus, Ohio area. The Bender family enjoyed many activities together including roller skating, camping vacations and Lancaster Band Boosters.

Tom and Betty in their early married years worked for Betty’s father, Kelly R. Hannan of Hannan Realty. They also owned and operated Hannan Roller Rink in Lancaster. Tom worked for Rockwell International and retired after 32 years of service. Tom was a member of the Lancaster United Methodist Church. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and member of the Elk’s and the American Legion.

Additional surviving family members include Tom’s grandchildren, Shelli, Mike, and Kelsey; great grandchildren, Kolby, Aspen, Madalyn, and Evalyn; and nephew, Robert Jones.

A funeral service will take place on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 2:30 P.M. at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 405 N. Columbus St., Lancaster, Ohio, 43130, officiated by Chaplain Michael Reynolds. Burial will follow at Greenfield Township Cemetery. Family and friends may visit an hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Tom’s memory to Hospice of Central Ohio 2269 Cherry Valley Rd., Newark, Ohio, 43055