Gilbert Leroy "Gib" Bender

Gilbert Leroy “Gib” Bender, 74, of Independence, Mo., went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 10, 2008. A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Veterans at the VA Hospital, 4101 E. Fourth St., Leavenworth, Kan., at 11 a.m. tomorrow. He will be laid to rest with military honors in Leavenworth National Cemetery.He was born on April 19, 1934, in New Castle, a son of Carl and Olive Bender.Gib graduated from Valley Forge Christian College, Bob Jones University and Reformed Presbyterian Seminary. He pursued graduate studies at Princeton Seminary.He was a chaplain in the Army and Army Reserve for 27 years, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel and having served in the Vietnam War.Gib also was pastor at four churches and served as a prison chaplain. Through the years, Gib ministered to many people and found time to be a wonderful husband to his wife, Natalie, who then cared for him until his death.He is survived by Natalie, his wife of 25 years; and children, Joy Daniels, Jim Bender, Heidi Langford, Brad Snyder and Kristen Blochlinger and their spouses; 11 grandchildren; as well as a brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Grace Bender, and their children.Arrangements are by the Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, 30000 Valor Drive, Grain Valley, Mo.Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/ncnewsonline/Obituaries.asp.