Julius Norbert Bender, age 94 of Minster passed away at 2:30 PM on January 1, 2024 at his home in Minster.

He was born in Fort Loramie, Ohio on December 5, 1929 to the late Clem & Emma (Seger) Bender. On August 29, 1953 he married Lois Baumer, and she preceded him in death on July 26, 2018.

He is survived by children: Ann & Bill Miller, New Bremen, Barbara Bender, Blacklick, Ohio, Virginia "Ginny" Bender, Sidney, Stan & Dee Dee Bender, Troy, Denise & Mark Swiger, New Bremen, Tony & Andrea Bender, Honolulu, HI, 10 grandchildren: Andrew & Jennifer Miller, Rachael & Jason Sims, Kaleb & Micaela Swiger, Jacob & Dani Swiger, Kyle Swiger, Madyson & Jake Hackleman, Ireland & Tag Bender, Emily & Sophie Bender, 10 great grandchildren: Marshall, Oliver & Ella Miller, Avery & Macsen Sims, Annabelle, Hayden, Adelyn Swiger & baby Swiger girl, Scottie Hackleman, brothers-in-law & sister-in-law: Joseph Baumer Richmond, Ed Baumer, Kettering, Cathy Perkins, Reno NV, and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents & siblings: Louise & Charles Francis, Aloysius & Clara Bender, Alvina & Clarence Cordonnier, Ann Marie & Jack Burnaby, Christine & Don McDonald, Albert & Bea Bender, Pauline & Melvin Schmiesing, Martin & Melba Bender, Larry & Ruth Bender, Victor & Ruth Bender, Ed & Irene Bender, in-laws: Anna & George Chance, Mickey Baumer, Wanda Baumer Jim Perkins, and Mary Hardwick.

Norb was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster, of the Minster New Bremen Right to Life and St. Augustine Orphan Society. He was a graduate of Fort Loramie High School in 1948, a veteran of the US Navy from 1949 to 1952. He was a witness to H Bomb test on October 1952. He was a member of Minster VFW and attended the USS Fletcher Naval reunions since 1991 and held many offices in the group. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Minster since 1955 and served as Grand Knight for two terms and District Deputy for two terms. He also reserved the K of C Hall and hired a caterer to begin the first annual community Thanksgiving dinner. He was instrumental in setting up the local Radio Maria and assisted chaperoning with Minster Boy Scout's summer camp for many years. He retired from Minster Machine and after retirement, he was an avid bicyclist going on 12 GOBA trips.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, January 8, 2024 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster. Burial with full military honors will take place in St. Augustine Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 1 to 5 pm and Monday January 8 from 9:00 to 9:30am.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Minster New Bremen Right to Life and Everheart Hospice.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.