Steven Ray Bender, Age 76, living in Overland Park, Kansas passed away on December 16, 2024. Steve was born on November 8, 1948, in Clay Center, Kansas, the son of Jack and Alice (Savage) Bender. Steve graduated from Clay Center Community High School in 1966. He then attended the Kansas State Teachers College, now known as Emporia State University from 1966-1967.
Steve joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Midway until honorably discharged in 1970.
Steve went on to marry Nancy Binkley and had two children, Chadwick (Chad) and Candice (Candy). He later married Erin Blankenship and had one child, Travis.
Steve obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Marymount College in Salina, Kansas in 1980. Steve utilized his psychology degree when he opened the Recovery Ranch in Batesville, Arkansas years later. Steve eventually relocated back to Salina, Kansas where he spent much of his life selling real estate, most recent was for Salina Homes before retiring in 2018.
Steve enjoyed people and didn’t know a stranger, telling stories and cutting up was one of his favorite pastimes. He loved sports, especially watching the Kansas State Wildcats play football.
Steve was preceded in death by his father Jack Bender; his mother Alice Bender; and brother Larry Bender.
Steve is survived by his sister Jane (Bender) Sherbert of Clay Center, Kansas; son, Chad Bender and wife Tina of Olathe, Kansas; daughter, Candice (Bender) Klinge and granddaughter Tess Klinge of Overland Park, Kansas; son, Travis Bender of Manhattan, Kansas; nephew Phil Kasper of Clay Center, Kansas, and niece Angela (Kasper) Sullivan of Leawood, Kansas.
Graveside memorial services with military honors will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center, Kansas.
There will be no visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Mural Movement of Clay Center at https://www.claycentercif.org/make-a-donation.cfm?fid=1624#top-of-formhttps://www.claycentercif.org/make-a-donation.cfm?fid=1624#top-of-form
