CHARLES BENDER

LOCKWOOD-Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield for Charles R. Bender, 54, Lockwood, who died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, following an extended illness. Military honors will be conducted.

Those attending are asked not to arrive before 12:45 p.m., as there may be a prior scheduled service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Konantz Warden Funeral Home, Lamar.

The obituary may be viewed and condolences sent online at www.konantzwarden.com.

Survivors include his life companion, Phyris Mayfield, of the home; a daughter, Nichole Bender Aaron and husband Tim, Houston, Texas; four stepsons, Brent and Kyle Mayfield, Lamar, Brian Mayfield, Lockwood and Daniel Smith, Georgia; a brother, Floyd V. Bender Jr. and wife Barbara and a sister, Lorri Fann, both of Cape Girardeau and his stepfather, Lonnie Schade, also of Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Bender was born Aug. 7, 1961, in Wyatt, to Floyd V. and Thelma S. (Allbritton) Bender. His father died when he was young and he was reared by his mother and stepfather, Lonnie Schade. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Afghanistan, where he was wounded in combat. Upon returning home he took up a career in warehouse management. He was best known for his generosity and easy going nature.