Lorraine Sara Bender

Lorraine Sara Bender, age 67, of Peoria, Illinois, died on Sunday, October 1, 2017. She was born to the late Warren and Blanche Douple Helder on October 30, 1949. Lorraine attended the Eastern Lebanon County School district and attended Harrisburg Area Community College earning her an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license and Certified Dietary Manager certificate. During her life, Lorraine worked as an EMT and managed an ambulance service in Annville, Pennsylvania. In addition, Lorraine had a passion to work with the elderly and managed kitchens in several nursing homes and volunteer food services. Lorraine loved to volunteer her time. Through her life she was a Den Mother to rowdy cub scouts, taught reading to adults, fed the homeless went on a medical mission to Haiti and supported Moms Who Care. Lorraine made many friends through her volunteer efforts. In addition to inspiring a family to pursue emergency medical services, her granddaughter, Elizabeth Bender, is a third generation emergency responder. Lorraine is survived by her son, James (Kirsten) Bender (son of father, James E. Bender); and her brothers, Lenard and John Helder. Lorraine is preceded in death by two grandchildren, Benjamin and Katrina Bender; and survived by three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Luke and Johnathan Bender; and one great-grandchild, Jackson Weed. Lorraine’s visitation will be at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, October 5th. Her funeral service will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington at 11 am Friday, October 6th; with further visitation one hour before services Friday at the church. Cremation rites will be accorded following services with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Peoria at a later date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations may be made to the ICC Educational Foundation, for the purpose of a scholarship for Women in EMS; or to Moms Who Care, an organization that meets essential needs of local school children within the schools themselves. The family of Lorraine Bender would like to thank the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center’s oncology floor for the compassionate and caring hospice services she received.

Lorraine Sara Bender

October 30, 1949 - October 1, 2017