Betty M. Bender, 91, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at Health Park Medical Center in Fort Myers, FL. She was born in Fort Wayne, IN October 26, 1920 to Arthur H. and Blanche (Evans) Wimmer who preceded her in death. She married Raymond H. Bender April 6, 1942 in Hattisburg, Mississippi. He preceded her in death on January 28, 2010. Besides being a longtime homemaker she worked at GTE for 8 years, retiring in 1974. Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was greatly loved by all who knew her. Betty's enduring faith and love of arts and crafts was a gift she gave to her grandchildren and passed on to her great grandchildren.

Survivors include her two sons and daughter, seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and one sister. Son, Gary (Kathleen) Bender, grandson, Brad Bender and great grandson, Peyton; granddaughter Wynn (Justin) DePasquale, great grandson, Rocco and great granddaughter, Siena of Ft. Myers, FL. Son, Dale Bender (Eileen Lee) of Fort Wayne, IN. Granddaughter, Jennifer Bender (Simon LaBozetta) and great granddaughter, Ilya LaBozetta of Columbus, Ohio. Granddaughter, Emily Bender (Brandon Murphy) of Syacuse, NY. Grandson, Andrew (Alison) Bender, great granddaughter, Lilly, and step-great granddaughter, Isabella of Macon, GA. Daughter, Karen (Jerald) Albee of Fort Myers, FL. Grandson, Matthew (Christina) Sheley, great grandson, Hayden and great granddaughter, Lyla of Bloomington, IN. Step-granddaughter, Melissa (Tracy) McGill, step-great grandsons, Druin and Braden of Fishers, IN. Surviving half-sister, Bonita Archbold of Fort Wayne, IN and preceding her in death two half-sisters, Phyllis Douglas and Marvene Chrismore.

Services will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 10:00 am, D.O. McComb and Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Avenue, with calling one hour prior, Rev. Paul Shoemaker officiating. Additional calling also 2-4 and 6-8 pm Tuesday at the Funeral Home. Burial in Lindenwood Cemetery , Fort Wayne, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Michael Foundation for school scholarships. To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com.