Steven L. Bender, 68, of Marshall, IL passed away 10:18 PM Saturday, August 16, 2014 in St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital at Indianapolis, IN.

He served in the US Air Force and retired after 21 years of service. During his time in the Air Force he served on Air Force II in flights around the world. He served this country during the Viet Nam War. Following his retirement, he worked as a security guard at the Newport Ammunition Facility. He was born March 9, 1946 at Terre Haute, IN, the son of George Frederick Bender and Martha Riley Bender.

Surviving are two sons, Eric Bender and Steven Bender both of Portland, OR; his mother, Martha Bender of Marshall; two grandsons, Isaac Bender and Conner Bender and five brothers, Don Bender, Larry (Brenda) Bender, Jim (Kim) Bender, Eric (Leigh) Bender and Kevin Bender all of Marshall, IL.

He was a graduate of Marshall High School and a member of Marshall Lodge #133 AF & AM.

Graveside services will be conducted 10:00 AM Thursday at the Auburn Cemetery, rural Marshall with Bro. John Cutshall officiating. Military graveside rites will be accorded by VFW Post #5975 and Clark Co. Post #90 of the American Legion. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Wednesday at Pearce Funeral Home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Down Syndrome, 6826 NE Glisan St., Portland, OR 97213.