Stephen Allen Bender

Steve was full of life and enjoyed swimming, fishing, hiking, bike riding and travelling through the US. Since moving to SWFL in 2011, Steve discovered a new passion of orchid growing. Thoroughly young-of-heart, Steve took a retirement job at Bass Pro Shops to be around the youth and vigor of those who worked there as well as indulge his interests.

Steve worked over 41 years at Mettler Toledo Inc. in Ohio, starting his career while a student at Otterbein University in Westerville, OH (1973) and retiring in 2013.

A full time resident of Fort Myers since 2011, Steve was born in Marion Ohio where he lived for 53 years, graduating from Marion Harding High School in 1968. Since childhood in Ohio, Steve also resided, both full and part time, in Port Clinton (Catawba Island) Ohio and Marblehead Ohio.

In 1981 Steve married Glenna (Compton) Bender and together they just celebrated 35 years of marriage while on a trip to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Steve and Glenna have 2 children. Bryan Bender in Columbus, Ohio and Beth Brittingham (Charles II) in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2014 Steve celebrated life by becoming the grandfather of Charles (Tripp) III.

If so moved, donations can be made in Steve’s memoriam to Southeastern Guide Dogs (www.guidedogs.org), an organization whose work he greatly respected.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, Florida. For information, please call (239)334-4880.