Edna Pauline Bender

Edna Pauline Bender, 98, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Berrien Springs, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at The Springs at the Fountains of Bronson Place. A Graveside Committal Service will take place at 12 P.M., on Friday, March 31, 2006, at Riverview Cemetery, 2925 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 1 p.m., at the Arden United Methodist Church, 6981 U.S. 31, Berrien Springs, MI, with Rev. Dominic Tommy officiating. Edna was born on March 20, 1908, in St. Joseph, MI, a daughter of Gottfried and Augusta (Kurtz) Jesswein. Edna married Alfred Bender in 1934 and moved to Berrien Springs where she lived for over 60 years before moving to Kalamazoo in 1994. After getting her teaching certificate in 1929 and Bachelor of Arts degree in 1933 from Western Normal College, she taught business education classes at Berrien Springs High School for 36 years, retiring in 1975. In 1929 she wanted to teach her bookkeeping students about the stock market, so she and her class purchased one share of AT&T stock. This one share grew into many shares and enabled her to establish a scholarship for graduating Berrien Springs High School students. In 1973 she was chosen as Outstanding Secondary Educator of the year. Edna also helped her husband run Hilltop Coal and Ice Company, which later became Hilltop Oil, along with operating a Western Union Office and a Michigan Auto License Bureau. Edna was also known for the beautiful pictures she created in needlepoint. Edna is survived by a son, Terry (Jeanetta) Bender of Great Falls, VA; a daughter Nancy (Maury) Kaercher of Kalamazoo, MI; and two grandsons, Todd (Linda) Kaercher of Lansing, MI and Kevin Kaercher of Kalamazoo. Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred in November 1980, and her three brothers and one sister. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, March 30 from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M., at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Memorial donations can be made to the Edna Bender Endowment Fund, Berrien Community Foundation or the Arden United Methodist Church. Friends may send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com.