Gene Bender, son of the late Walter Lee Bender and Velda Knodell Bender, was born on Jan. 1, 1934, at Dudley and died in the Missouri Southern Healthcare at Dexter on Saturday, May 13, 2006, at the age of 72.

Mr. Bender was a retired farmer, a veteran of the United States Navy, serving in the Korean War and a resident of rural Dudley.

He was united in marriage to Shirley Townsend on March 6, 1959, at Dexter, and to this union, two children were born. Mrs. Bender survives of the home near Dudley.

Besides his wife, survivors include one son, Steve Bender of Florence, Ala.; one daughter, Lesa Aslin of Dexter; and three grandchildren.

Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2006, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2006, in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. David Skinner and Rev. Fred Shepard officiating.

Interment followed in the Hagy Cemetery.