JESUP - Ernest Francis Bender, 79, of Calhan, Colo., formerly of Jesup, died Sunday, Aug. 24, at Vermillion House Assisted Living, Calhan, following a long illness.

He was born Nov. 11, 1928, in Waterloo, son of Victor George Bender and Elsie Imogene Fowler Bender. On Feb. 14, 1953, he married Darlene Mae Kasik in Mason City.

He graduated from East High School, Waterloo, in 1947 and then attended Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls for two years and served in the U.S. Army Reserves for seven years.

Mr. Bender was employed at Rath Packing Co., Waterloo, as a supervisor, retiring after 30 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Jesup.

Survived by: his wife; a son, Michael (Diane) of Jackson, Mo.; two daughters, Kristie (Donald) Booker of Ellicott, Colo., and Ellen Bender of Independence; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Nancy (Harry) Olson of Denver and Ann (Robert) Tehiele of Fort Dodge.

Preceded in death by: a brother, Richard; and a great-granddaughter.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, with burial in Cedar Crest Cemetery, both in Jesup. Public visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at White Funeral Home, Jesup, where there will be a 7 p.m. Masonic service, and for an hour before services Saturday at the church.

Memorials: may be directed to Simply Seniors, 29920 Washington Road, Calhan, CO 80808.

Condolences may be left at www.white-mthope.com.