Ralph Bender, 79, longtime resident of Suamico, died Thursday, April 9, 2009, at a local nursing home. He was born Nov. 11, 1929, in Green Bay, to the late Fenton and Ione (Storzer) Bender. On Aug. 7, 1967, he married Dorothy Cayer. Ralph was a commercial fisherman for several years. He was a machine operator for Hamiltons in Two Rivers and for Diana Manufacturing. He had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Ralph loved going to camp up north to Trenary, Mich.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; six children and their spouses, Carey Bender, Melvin Bender, Craig Bender, Patrick and Peggy Bender, Michael and Sharon Bender, Ron Bender; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Virginia and Bob VandeLeest, Ellen "Janet" Holtz, Nora and Jack Calewarts; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Hillary Frisque, Melvin and Ruth Cayer; special nieces and nephews, Mary and Rick Cayer, Cathy and John Bolm, Renee and Brad West, Kim Greer, Bonnie and Jim VandeLeest; and many others.

He was preceded in death by a son, Wayne; two brothers, Fenton Jr. and Johnny Bender; and a sister, Diane Frisque.

Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday. The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ron Urmanski officiating. To send online condolences, please go to www .BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

The Bender family extends a special thank you to the staff of Unity Hospice and the staff of San Luis Medical & Rehabilitation Center for their wonderful care. They would also like to thank Mike and Marge for always being there.