Donald W. Bender, age 78, of Jefferson, passed away peacefully March 18, 2019 at Jefferson Healthcare and Rehab. He was born September 4, 1940 in Hacker Valley, WV to John and Eva (Fisher) Bender. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army. Don worked many years as a machinist, working for Rotor-Tool and later with Roll Kraft, retiring in 2002. He raised quarter horses and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association for many years; Don enjoyed making country music. He was a natural musician, playing keys, guitar and banjo and enjoyed writing original music. He is survived by his daughters, Terri Lee Barker, Sandra (Mike) Galloway, Angela (Tom) King and Erica Bender; grandchildren, David, Amber, Jason, Mandi, Derek, Michael, Audrey, Madylin, Lily and Jasmine; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Mariah, Malia, Jake, Olivia, Leslie, Derek, II, Collin and (Miss M); and a great-great granddaughter, Willow. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Geneva Kirby, Jennifer Louise Bender and Carol Ann Bender; siblings, Ruby Skeens, Anne Channels, Ruth Bright, Hartzel Bender, William Bender and Alberta Rose Lipps.

Family will receive friends Friday, March 22, 2019 from 5 – 8p.m. at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 175 S. Broadway, Geneva, OH. A funeral service will be Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. in the funeral home. Final resting place will be Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Geneva, where Geneva V.F.W. will present military honors. Friends may leave condolences online at www.behmfuneral.com