Jerry E. (Kelly) Bender

Greensburg- Jerry Eileen Bender, 78, died April 30, 2013 in Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita, Kansas. She was born January 4, 1935, in Greensburg, Kansas, the daughter of Merle Dutton and Muriel Faye (Ratliff) Kelly. A lifetime resident of Kiowa County, Jerry was a Homemaker and an Antique Dealer. She graduated from Greensburg High School in 1953 and earned a B.A. at St. Mary’s College in 1982. Memberships include the First United Methodist Church, Past Worthy Matron of the Star of Hope Chapter #193 of the Order of Eastern Star, and had served as the Kiowa County Republican Party Chairperson. She enjoyed gardening and playing the piano. On July 1, 1953 Jerry married Kenneth E. “Gene” Bender in Honolulu, Hawaii. He survives. Other survivors include two daughters Lana Jo Bundy, Greensburg, and Kelly Bender, Effingham, Kansas, and one Grandson Devin Bundy, Greensburg. She was preceded in death by a son Patrick Evan Bender, her parents, two brothers Donald and Hal L. Kelly, and two sisters Peggy Jean Shuck and Betty Jo Rader. Funeral Services and celebration of Jerry’s life will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church, Greensburg, with Pastor Terry Mayhew officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Greensburg. The family will greet friends 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at Fleener Funeral Home. In addition to flowers and plants, memorials may be given to the Kiowa County Library, in care of Fleener Funeral Home, 514 S. Main St., Greensburg, KS, 67054.