Theodore Bender

Theodore "T.O." Bender, 85 of Cowen, formerly of Hacker Valley went home to be with the Lord on May 10, 2012.  He was born March 17, 1927 in Cleveland, WV to the late Lonnie & Sarah Bender.  He was a U.S. Army Veteran and he opened his heart and home to foster children for 17 years.  He was a member of Long Run Non-Denominational Church, was a logger by trade, and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a great-grandfather.  He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Arden "Dave", Lonnie "Bud", and Leonard "Puck" Bender. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Teresa Groves Bender; sisters Freda (Herb) Tolliver, Rita Dobbins, Vonda Sue Gowers, Mary Jane (Johnnie) Johnson; brother Maynard "Leo" (Juanita) Bender; son Mitchel (Pamela) and Gary (Dorothy) Bender; daughters Rhonda (Monte) Short and Terry (Mark) Casteel all of Cowen; 21 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Cowen with the Rev. Larry Lovely officiating.  Burial will follow in the Hanschumacher Cemetery.  Friends may call from 11:00 to 1:00 at the church.

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