Dolores A. Bender

Dolores A. Bender, 79, of the Lake of Egypt, passed away on Sunday morning, September 27, 2015 at 4:25 am at Heartland Regional Medical Center. Dolores was born on April 21, 1936 in Herrin the daughter of John and Maggie (Paglia) Bione.  She grew up in Herrin where she attended Bandyville School and graduated from Herrin High School in 1953.  She studied radiology in St. Louis, Missouri and became a certified radiology technician. Dolores married Donald Bender on April 7, 1957 and together they have shared over 58 wonderful years of marriage. She was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in West Frankfort serving as a Bishops Warden.  She also enjoyed serving as secretary of the Sunset Harbor home owners association.  Dolores held a life long love for her dogs, fishing, camping, the mountains, cooking, and playing cards and slots with her friends. She was a caring Mother and Grandmother who especially loved travelling with her husband to spend time with her grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Donald, she is survived by their son, David Bender (Susan) of Beech Island, SC and daughter Donna Evangelous (Ralph) of Wilminton, NC; two grandchildren Tyler and Kaitlyn Evangelous; her sister, Jeanette Ervin Palmer, sister-in-law, Elaine Kirkman of Energy; nephews, John Ervin and Randy Kirkman; and nieces, Cynthia Ervin (Thaler), Kimira Kirkman (Benton) and Sherry Kirkman. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorial services will be Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 12 pm at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin with The Reverend Sherry Black officiating. Inurnment will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be Thursday from 10 am until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in West Frankfort or the Humane Society of Southern Illinois.