Harold Lyle Bender

Harold Lyle Bender, (“Bud” Bender) 84, of Yucaipa, CA passed away Sunday, May 13, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joanne Bender; three sons, Harold(Sharon), Mike(Pam), Doug (Lisa); eight grandchildren, Jason(Tammy), Krystle Hammond (Jeff), Brian(Nicole), Ian, Dougie Jr, Ashlyn, Kyle, Drew; 6 great grandchildren, Nathan, Aubrie, Micah, Bella, Levi, Logan. He is survived by five brothers, Jake, Ron, Larry(Pat), Tom(Susie), Bruce(Kim) and his sister Shirley(Bob) as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Born on July 16, 1933, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Bud was the second of seven children born to Jacob and Bertha Bender. As a young man, he was taken with the quiet young lady, Joanne Beard, who kept coming by the house with her friend and he never looked at anyone else. They married on October 12, 1957. In 1958 they ventured on their move to the West landing for a short time in Arizona before continuing on to California after being persuaded by his cousins Richard and Joyce Bender. They lived briefly in San Bernardino before moving to Rialto in 1959. Once they were settled in Rialto and decided to make this their home, they bought their first home at 801 North Lilac in 1965 where they resided until moving to Yucaipa in 2012. There are so many memories in this home over the 47 years for family and friends.

Bud is a true man of service. He has served as Vice Chairman for Rialto Parks and Recreation Commission, President of the Friends of Rialto, and member of the East Rialto Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the Eisenhower Grid Iron Club for five years, serving as president the last two years and was instrumental in pursuing Ronnie Lott to donate money for the Eisenhower weight room. His heart has been at the Baseball field where he spent his time as coach, President, Vice-President and Board member for Rialto Western Little League from 1962 through the early 2000s. His service and dedication to the youth of Rialto was celebrated in 1996 with the renaming of Lilac Park to Bud Bender Park to honor his life’s dedication to this City’s young people. It was then rededicated in 2016 with a total overhaul of the fields and the park. This honor was so befitting which was overwhelming for him but one that filled him with so much pride to share with Joanne standing by his side and his family behind him.

He has not only served his City, he is also a true servant for his church, Rialto United Methodist Church. He sat as a Trustee and Finance Committee Member, Vice Chairman of the Fontana Latino Methodist Church and a New Day Volunteer for the lunch program to feed the needy. He was honored in 2015 with the Laity Sunday Award for his service in the church.

The viewing will be Saturday. May 19, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Emmerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373. The funeral services to celebrate his life will be held at 2:30 Sunday. May 20, 2018 at Rialto United Methodist Church, 1230 N. Lilac Avenue. Rialto, CA 92376. A reception will be held immediately following the service at Grace Vargas Senior Center, 1411 South Riverside Avenue. Rialto, CA