Edna Mae Bender, 101, Milford, passed away at 10:02 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care.
She was born Aug. 14, 1915 in Au Gres, Mich. to Peter and Lydia (Knepp) Swartz. She moved to Indiana in 2000. Edna married Lloyd M. Bender in 1946, and he preceded her in death on April 25, 2007.
She was a member of Riverside Mennonite Church in Turner, Mich. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and was a great quilter.
Surviving are children: Elaine (Pat) Borsa, Etna Green; Karlan (Linda) Bender, Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Darwin Bender, Alger, Mich.; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Charles Bragg; brothers: Levi, John, and Elmer Swartz; and a sister: Rose Jantzi.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and also from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 at Riverside Mennonite Church (3620 Twining Road, Turner, MI 48765). Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at Riverside Mennonite Church. Lyle Swartz, Edna’s nephew, will officiate. Burial will follow at Sims- Whitney Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Feed the Children Organization.