Brian Bender

Of Vassar, age 49, died Wednesday, July 11, 2012. The funeral service will take place 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 16, 2012, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese. Pastor Robert Gadeken and Pastor Wesley Gillaspie will officiate with burial to follow in St. Michaels Cemetery. Brian's family will be present at the Martin Funeral Home - Vassar to receive friends on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Monday, Brian will be taken to church to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. Those desiring may consider memorial contributions to St. Michael Lutheran Church, Passion Drama or to Boy Scouts Troop #201. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. Brian was born August 8, 1962, in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur and Harriet (Smith) Bender. He and Penny Doud were united in marriage May 17th, 1986. Brian worked at Star of the West until recently and Weber Lumber in Richville for many years. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, BBQ, loved fishing, hunting, camping, participating in the Boy Scouts Troop #201, Passion Drama and sang in the choir at church. Left to cherish his memory are wife, Penny; two children, Steven and Kayla Bender; Steven's Fiancee, Candice Redmond; sister, Cathy and husband, Bill Owensby; brother, Gordon and wife, Sherry Bender; sister-in-law, Verna Stubbs; many nieces, nephews, friends and many loving family members and in-laws as well as the family dog, Smokie. Brian was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Marshall "Butch" Furgason and niece, Allison Furgason.