Viron K Bender

Viron K. Bender, 87, of New Point, passed away March 13, 2022 at a St. Joseph hospital.

Viron was born in New Point on July 19, 1934, one of three children of Dale and Blanche (Cochran) Bender. He graduated from New Point High School, and then attended Northwest Missouri State University. Viron served in the U.S. Army.

On November 17, 1955 he married Nina Jo Noellsch, and they became parents of three children.

Viron was president of Bender Farms, Inc., specializing in organic farming. For over 50 years, when harvest had ended, Viron packed up the family and took them on their greatest adventure. He spent seven months farming at New Point, Missouri. The remainder of the year, he was a fishing guide at Chokoloskee, Island on his boat called the Tackle Box. After retiring from guiding, he and Nina continued to vacation and leisurely fish in Florida until 2020. They had many snowbird visitors over the years. Viron also established a campground on the family farm, called The Country Side Campground.

He enjoyed playing different types of guitars, singing, gardening, fishing, carpentry & cookouts for family and friends. He was always up for an adventure and was never at loss for a story.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Rita McDonald and Dena Evans.

Survivors include his wife, Nina Jo, of the home; sons, Sheldon (Denise) Bender of New Point, and Shannon (Laurie) Bender of Tulsa, Okla.; daughter, Sharla (Mark) Smith of Tahlequah, Okla.; 10 grandchildren, Bobi (Marcus) Throneburg, Kyle (Brittani) Bender, Andrea (Caleb) Loafman, Shawn Bender, Hunter (Hannah) Smith, Sierra Smith, and Antonio, Amos, Annika and Jessa Bender; and 10 great grandchildren, Enoch, Noah, Josiah, and Cora Loafman, Madilynn, Graham, and Maya Bender, and Lincoln, Bishop, and Moses Throneburg.

Services with military honors: Sat., March 19, 2022, 11:00 am, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon. Family requests those attending wear fishing, farming, or flannel clothing. Private interment: New Point Cemetery. Memorials: The Chosen, the Forest City Christian Church, or New Point Cemetery.