LOWELL, MICHIGAN
Mary Brockman Bender died in Lowell, Michigan, on February 2, 2024.
She was born in Columbus, Indiana, on December 22, 1938. She and her twin sister, Martha, were the fourth and fifth of six children born to Wm. Thomas and Lillian Stilwell Brockman. She was a 1956 graduate of Columbus High School.
Mary married David Pomrenke in 1957, living with him in Wisconsin for 24 years where they raised their family of three daughters and a son. In 1981, she returned home to Indiana and soon rekindled an old friendship with fellow classmate Philip Bender. They were married in 1982 and her family grew with the addition of Phil’s three children. Philip and Mary retired to Florida in 2004 where they both enjoyed a very active lifestyle. They were married for 35 wonderful years before he passed away in 2017. In 2019, Mary moved to the Grand Rapids area to live closer to family.
Mary retired in 2001 after working many years in the business community. She was a past State of Indiana president of the VSDA (Video Software Dealers Association.) She was also a past president of the Board of Directors for Country Squire Lakes Association in Indiana. In Florida, she served two years as president of the recreation board at Leisure Lake Co-op where she and Philip lived. She was a very active member of both Leisure Lake Community and Holy Cross Catholic Church during the years that she lived in Florida.
Mary is survived by daughters Mary (Stephen) Cooper of Ada, Michigan; and Judith Hezik of Scottsville, Kentucky; and a son-in-law, Robert Hansen of Dodgeville, Wisconsin. She is also survived by stepchildren Todd (Joyce) Bender of Brownsburg, Indiana; Christi Maples (Michael O’Brien) of Dayton, Indiana, and David (Lorri) Bender of Bloomington, Indiana. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren with another on the way.
She is also survived by her sisters and brother: Shirley Suddeth of Palmetto, Florida, her twin sister, Martha Jansen of Brea, California; and Joseph Brockman of Columbus, Indiana, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by husbands David Pomrenke and Philip Bender; a daughter, Debra Hansen, and a son, David W. Pomrenke; a brother, Thomas Brockman; a sister, Betty Puckett, and her parents. She was also preceded in death by two grandsons, two great grandchildren, and a son-in-law, Bernard Hezik.
There will be graveside services and a celebration of life in Columbus, Indiana, in the spring.
