John F. Bender, 59, of Crystal Falls, Mich. and Chatham, Va., passed away sudden and unexpectedly Saturday, August 27, 2011, in Angola, Africa. He was born February 26, 1952, in Iron Mountain, Mich., son of Pauline (Dalpra) Bender and the late Frederick "Fritz" Bender. On Dec. 12, 2002, he married Deborah Dacheff, an Iron River native, in Yanceyville, N.C. John graduated from Crystal Falls High School Class of 1970. He attended Michigan Tech at Houghton before entering the U.S. Army on October 3, 1971. John served at Fort Knox, Ky., Fort McClellan, Ala., the Naval Support Facility at Indian Head, Md., and received his Honorable Discharge from Camp Drum, N.Y. in 1973. Following his service, John went to Northern Michigan University and received his Chemical Engineering Degree from Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y. He was a chemical engineer and worked for Oceaneering, a global oilfield provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore oil and gas industry. Prior to his working for Oceaneering, John had been with 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn.; Saudi Aramaco for over 14 years; Specialty Chem Corporation, Marinette, Wis. and DanChem Technologies Inc., Danville, Va. John loved God, his country, and family and was a friend to all. His zest for life was reflected in his work ethic as well as in his varied hobbies and interests -- hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, golfing, skiing, reading and more. He held especially fond memories of his youth days at the local Camp Batawagama, first as a camper and then as a junior maintenance staff member. The experience was close to his heart and in recent years he maintained his support of their mission for youth. His beloved own Camp and property outside of Crystal Falls was his pride and joy as he moved toward retirement. Survivors include his wife, Deborah Bender, Crystal Falls and Chatham, Va.; his mother, Pauline Bender, Crystal Falls; two sons, Mathew Bender, Menominee, Mich., Lucas Bender, also of Menominee, Mich., one daughter, Rachel (James Dells) Bender, Maryland, one grandson Ethan Dells; two step-sons, Jason Lopez, Cocoa, Fla., Justin Lopez, Orlando, Fla.; four brothers, Paul (Kelly) Bender, Crystal Falls, Stephen (Sheila) Bender, Perry, Mich., Mark (Kathy) Bender, Marquette, Mich., David (Donna) Bender, Kent, Wash.; his father-in-law, Michael S. Dacheff, Iron River; one aunt, Patricia Dalpra, Crystal Falls, one Uncle, Franklin (Frankie Mae) Dalpra, Kingsford, Mich.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends here and abroad. John was preceded in death by his father Frederick "Fritz" Bender on January 31, 1966; and his mother-in-law, Marilyn Dacheff. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 13, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home, Crystal Falls. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 14, at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Crystal Falls. Rev. Jeffrey Kurtz will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls. Military Rites will be accorded by the East Side Veterans Council. Additionally, a Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Chatham, Virginia at the Cornerstone Church of Christ. In Lieu of flowers the family requests any memorials go to Friends of Camp Batawagama P.O. Box 482 Iron River, MI 49935. You may light a candle in remembrance of John or leave a condolence for his family at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com. The Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home, Crystal Falls, is serving the family.