Gerry Bender

Gerry A. Bender, 89, of Willow Spring, NC, passed away at 4:10 P.M. Thursday, June 12, 2025, at SECU Hospice House of UNC Health Johnston, Smithfield, NC.

He was born July 8, 1935, in Waynesboro, PA to the late David Hayes and Emma Marie (Nuice) Bender and is survived by his loving and devoted wife Norma Lee (Richards) Bender of 68 years. He attended Smithburg High School, until he joined the military in 1952.

He served 20 years in the United States Airforce with Presidential Security under Kennedy, Nixon and Ford. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired in 1972 and moved his family to San Diego, CA, where he became a zookeeper with the San Diego Wild Animal Park for 20 years. His best friend was a 2000-pound Indian Rino named Lasi. Upon retirement from the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Mr. Bender along with his family returned to Waynesboro, PA in 1996 and then in 2024 moved to North Carolina to be closer to his daughter.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Bender is survived by one daughter, Michelle (Vince) D. Bender-Anibaldi of Willow Spring, NC, one son James A. Bender of Waynesboro, PA, one sister Linda D. (Bender) Rausch of Waynesboro, PA, two granddaughters, one grandson, four great grandchildren and one step great granddaughter as well as multiple nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son Stephen G. Bender, two brothers, Richard E. Bender and David L. Bender.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad Street, Waynesboro, with Pastor Dennis Beaver officiating. A private burial for family will follow with full military honors at Bethel Church Cemetery, Cascade, Maryland.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., Saturday morning, in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: The Antietam Humane Society, 8513 Lyons Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268.