Edward Bender

Edward Martin Bender, 97, of Cape Girardeau went to his eternal home Thursday, June 30, 2016, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born July 2, 1918, in Cape Girardeau to Martin G. and Elinor Wilder Bender. Ed and Kathryn Stiegemeyer were married June 23, 1951.

Ed was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and graduated from Trinity Lutheran School, Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 as a flight instructor and the pilot of a B-17 Bomber. He was a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III for a year and four days. He later served in the Air Force Reserves, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was a letter carrier in Cape Girardeau from 1940 to 1961. He was a writer/editor for the U.S. Department of the Interior/Bureau of Mines in Rolla, Missouri, and Washington, D.C., from 1961 to 1979.

Ed was a member of Trinity Men's Club, the VFW and the American Legion. At the age of 90, he completed his memoirs, "Lest They Forget Freedom's Price."

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn; daughters Diane Maurer of Cape Girardeau and Miriam Larson (Jim) of Knoxville, Tennessee; grandchildren Matthew (Trish) Maurer of Argyle, Wisconsin, Ryan (Linden) Maurer of Dallas, Andrew (Jennifer) Maurer of Cape Girardeau, Mikaela (Eric) Larson Fuchs of Knoxville, Aaron (Marie) Larson of Nashville, Tennessee, and Micah Larson of Knoxville; great-grandchildren Madison Maurer of Cape Girardeau and Henry and Seth Fuchs of Knoxville; and a brother, Kenneth (Martha) Bender of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Louise Roth and Margaret Cruce.

Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to Trinity Lutheran School Foundation or Saint Francis Hospice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.