Obituary of Donald Ray Fender

Donald Ray Fender, 79, of Bedford, passed away at 5:15 am on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at I.U. Health Bedford Hospital. Born March 14, 1945, in Bedford, he was the son of Ray and Gladys (Hack) Fender. He married Belinda Roberts on August 14, 1965, and she survives. He was a graduate from Tunnelton High School and was a member of the Highview Baptist Church and Army National Guard. He worked in the maintenance department of Cummins Engine in Columbus for 36 years. Prior to that, he worked at Bruner Engineering and Travelers in Orleans. Survivors include his wife, Belinda, of Bedford; two sons, Joe Fender and wife, Julie and Jeremy Fender, all of Bedford; two daughters, Polly Dennis and husband, Greg, of Florida and Allison McCarty and husband, Matt, of Noblesville; eight grandchildren, Isaac Fender and wife, Cameron, Amasa Speer, and husband, Coleman, Kylie Dennis, Sydney Horne and husband, Ghaige, Chloe McCarty, Tara, Lora, and Robert Kern; seven great-grandchildren, Noah, Briston, Matalyn, Kagen, Bowen, Leiam, Revin and Ezekiel; two sisters, Brenda Price and husband, Darrell, of Bedford and Naomi Goodrich and husband, Charlie, of Tucson, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Patricia Raines. A celebration of life will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 24th at Highview Baptist Church, 60 Patton Hill, Bedford, IN with Pastor Danny Goens officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Samaritans Purse at samaritanspurse.org. or the Men's Warming Shelter.