Gerald R. Bender Sr. , age 86 of Freeport, IL, passed away Saturday, August 9, 2017 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport. He was born July 30, 1931; the son of the late Calvin and Harriet (Layton) Bender. He was a 1951 graduate of Freeport High School where he had been captain of the football team. On October 6, 1951, Gerald married Nicolette Beverly. He had served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

He had worked as a machinist at Fairbanks Morse for 13 years and at Twin Disk for 23 years, the later retired from MetLife. Gerald had coached football and baseball at Harlem Schools. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and of the Koran War Vets. He was an Avid Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He enjoyed playing Keno at the Casinos. He loved going camping at the lakes in Wisconsin for 23 years and spending time with his grandchildren.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Nicolette "Nickee" Bender of Freeport; sons, Gerald "Jerry" Bender Jr. and Jeffrey (Amy) Bender both of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren, Ashley Bender; Tyler Bender, and Chase Bender; great grandson, Messiah "Boomer" Rodriguez; sister, Dixie Zettle of Freeport; and care givers, Tim Pettit and Laurie Whitehead. He was preceded by his parents, six sisters, and four brothers.