Chief Petty Officer John Pender

Age 56, died Monday, January 15, 2018, in Redmond, Washington. The Funeral service will take place 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris, with burial to follow at Great Lakes National Cemetery on Friday at 11:30 am. John’s family will receive friends at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services on Thursday morning, from 10:00 am until the time of service at 2:00 pm Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. John was born September 20, 1961, in Flint, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Ilene (Whitlock) Pender. On September 28, 1989, John entered the United States Navy, where he proudly served his country for 24 years until receiving his honorable discharge May 31, 2004. Chief Petty Officer Pender has made great accomplishments in the United States Navy in serving our Country. He was awarded many medals, ribbons, and certificates for his hard work and dedication to his career. He is well known in and on Naval shipyards from the USA to overseas. Chief Petty Officer Pender worked on Navy carriers/LPD's. He was a huge asset to each ship he was abroad and stationed on. He was proud to serve his country! Chief Petty Officer Pender worked down in the boiler room monitoring and engineering actuators (this is what makes the vessel go). When Chief Petty Officer Pender retired he had multiple opportunities handed to him before he even left the ship for his last day of service. John was loved and looked up to by so many whether you knew him a short while, childhood, coworkers or family. His knowledge inspired countless people. John was the life of the party no matter where he was at or what he was doing. Left to cherish his memory; son: Jeremy; parents: Jack (Ilene) Pender; daughters: Brianne Herndon, Amy Wilson and husband, James Wilson; grandchildren: Ryland Herndon, Drayden Wilson, Kyler Herndon; siblings: Anna (John) Pierce, Cathy Pender, Colleen (Mark) Marx and their daughter, Jenna Marx, Barbara (Mark) Crane, Jim (Mun) Pender,and their children: James, Eddie, Dennis, Christine, and Cynthia; Joe (Yvonne) Pender; and their children: Falon & Michael Cleary, Zachery, and Cameron Pender. great-nieces Hazel Zalenski, Karma Cleary, Uncle John is now with his nephew Tyler Pender. Obituary was written with love, by family.