Don Bender

1937 - 2017

Don Bender
1937 - 2017

Don went home to be with his Lord on August 16 after suffering a massive stroke. He was so blessed to have II Timothy 4: 7-8 and 22 read to him by his pastor, Ruben Zartman, just minutes before he passed away.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,. Grace be with you. Amen."

Don was born in Bakersfield, California on March 22, 1937 to Albert and Ida Bender. He attended the Shafter schools and Bakersfield College. He grew up attending Ebenezer Reformed Church and he was baptized, confirmed and married at Ebenezer. He served faithfully as elder there for many years; as Sunday school Superintendent, and enjoyed singing in the church choir. He loved his R.C.U.S. Church family and Ebenezer very much and always sought to promote the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He married his dear wife, Donna on June 16, 1960, and they enjoyed 57 years of walking together in Christ! God blessed them with two daughters, Audrey Kay whom the Lord took home in 1988; Tina, who now lives with her husband, Pastor Paul Henderson in Pierre, South Dakota. The good Lord also blessed them with four grandchildren, Silas, Melinda, Travis, and Amy. Don also enjoyed his many nephews & nieces, and many other wonderful family members in and around the Shafter area, as well as others parts of the country.

He farmed for over 50 years on Scaroni and Merced avenues in Shafter, and was an excellent steward of the land that God gave to him. He was gifted by his Lord with many talents and he often invented and built many things to improve equipment and other mechanical things on the farm, in the shop and in the home.

He was also an avid fisherman. Don and family always enjoyed their camping trips to Cedar Grove Campground, and June Lake! Don was a pilot, who earned his 'wings' at the age of 16! He loved working on the various airplanes he owned over the years; he even built his own RV 6A and truly enjoyed flying at every opportunity provided him.

Don will be sorely missed, and yet we know that he is experiencing complete happiness as he lives now in the presence of his dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and all the saints who have gone on before him.

Don was preceded in death by his father and mother, his daughter Audrey. He is survived by his wife, Donna, Tina and her family, his older brother Clarence Bender, and by many other family members.

His Burial Service will be on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Ebenezer Reformed Church located at 235 James street, in Shafter, CA. His committal will be at the Shafter cemetery following the service. The ladies of Ebenezer Reformed Church will provide a lunch meal afterwards at the Church Fellowship hall.