Gary Bender, 85, of Huntley, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025.
He was born on October 13, 1939 in Rockford, Illinois to Maynard and Mary (Herbert) Bender. Gary married Colleen Warner on October 7, 1961 in Rockford, Illinois. He served his country in the Army Reserves, and went on to work as a corporate pilot. He and Colleen moved to Huntley in 2008 from Surprise, Arizona.
Gary was a devout Lutheran and member of Shepherd of the Prairie church. He helped establish the Kingdom Fellowship Weekend (a spiritual retreat for Christians) across several churches in Illinois and Arizona. An avid outdoorsman, Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting, and hiking. He ran in the Milwaukee Marathon and even tried his hand at skydiving. Somehow, he still found the time to go golfing and root on the Chicago Bears. Above all things, his greatest joy was his family. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Colleen Bender; his children, Jeffrey (Shekira) Bender, and Marcey (Robert) Kolb; his sisters, Vicky Bertrand, and Debbie Rohmann; and eight grandchildren, Jenna Moorman, Trent Moorman, Bryce Moorman, Fredrick Bender, Charles Bender, Haley Kolb, and Dylan Kolb.
In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his stepfather, Wayne Neff, and his stepmother, Gladys Bender.
The family would like to give special thanks to all the staff at The Heathers Senior Home in Lake in the Hills for their wonderful care as Gary’s health declined the past few years. They would also like to thank JourneyCare Hospice for their tender and amazing end of life support.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 from 10am until time of service at 11am, at Shepherd of the Prairie Church – 10805 Main St. Huntley, IL 60142. Memorial donations are suggested to Shepherd of the Prairie Church and JourneyCare Hospice through the Addus Hope Foundation.
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
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Your family at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church in Surprise AZ extends our sincere condolences with the death of Gary. Praying for peace and comfort for Colleen and the family. Blessings, Deborah Frusciano
Please accept our deepest sympathies, Colleen, Marcy and family. Gary was such a wonderful man, and we have many happy memories from our time with you in New Berlin. We will remember you in our prayers during this sad time. May Gary rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss (condolences)
I am so sorry for Gary and Colleen and family. I met him while my husband too was at the Heathers before he passed away in Dec. Colleen has become a dear friend and a special confidant as we shared our journies. As Gary has no more pain I wish the family happy times together as they remember his wonderful presence. God Bless!
My condolences to the family . My thoughts and prayers are with them today. I loved taking care of gary and seeing his wife they became part of the family. I will miss seeing them. I will remember how gary would smile and play around my heart is sad today. Love to the family