Bender, 69 Clayton "Richard" Bender went home to be with The Lord on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Christiana Hospital after a brief illness. He was the son of the late Clayton and Mary Bender and is the first of the forty Schlabach cousins to enter heaven. Having been born to dairy farmers, he milked cows, grain farmed and raised pigs in his youth. In spite of working at Nanticoke Homes, a chicken plant, and other jobs over the years, he never seemed to be able to avoid milking cows on the family farm occasionally. Most recently he was employed with the Greenwood Cheer Center doing whatever jobs were asked of him. He was always a willing helper wherever needed. He enjoyed people and visiting, showing up to functions or for a visit with a cake he had baked, at times accompanied by ice cream. He was always full of news and a good laugh. He was often heard to say, "Were you born in a barn?", and after countless times of telling the grandchildren to "Shut the door, please," they now inform others to, "Shut the door, please." He was proceeded in death by his mother, Mary Schlabach Bender in 1992, his father, Clayton Bender in 2003, and his brother-in-law, John Cupler in 1995. He is survived by his best friend and wife, Joyce Bender; eight children, sons, Michael Bender and his wife, Courtney, James Bender and fiancé, Kendra Lei Russell, H. Allen Bawel Jr. and his wife, Jamie, Keith Bawel and wife, Dawn; daughters, Wanda White and fiancé, Dave Denmen, Tammy Heim and husband Norman Heim, Fay Callicoat, Tina Dawn; 22 grandchildren; two brothers, Kenny Bender and wife, Donna, Jake Bender and wife, Stacey; three sisters, Darlene Chisenhall and husband, Eblen, Virginia "Rosie" Cupler, Mary Lou Warren and husband, Wayne; and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call for visitation on Sunday, June 28, 2015, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Mennonite Church. Funeral Services will be held at Greenwood Mennonite Church on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 2:00 p.m, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be held at Greenwood Mennonite Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Fleischauer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 502, Greenwood, DE 19950.