Raymond D. “Ray” Bender

PORTAGE – Raymond D. “Ray” Bender, age 39, of Baraboo, formerly of Portage, died on Friday, October 19, 2012.

Ray was born on February 10, 1973 in Portage, the son of Daniel and Meredythe (Hunter) Bender. He graduated from Portage High School in 1991 where he was a member of the High School Band, Curling Club, and Tennis team. He attended UW Baraboo, Southwest Missouri State University and graduated from UW Green Bay in 2003 with a degree in Marketing. Ray had been active in Students Against Drunk Driving. Ray was a past member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage. Ray worked at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells for several years.

He is survived by his father, Dr. Daniel P. Bender, Westfield, his mother, Meredythe “Micki” Bender, Portage; brothers and sister, Carol (David) Bender Riese, Monroe, Matthew (Nicole) Bender, Wisconsin Rapids, John Ty (Angela Biederman) Bender, twin brother, Willard C. Bender, Baraboo, 6 nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.    

Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding. Inurnment will be at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church.