William Neil Bedenbender, 85, of rural Neosho Falls died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011.
He was born Feb. 24, 1926, on a farm in southeast Coffey County, to Oscar and Ethel Kate Bradley Bedenbender. He graduated from Colony High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific.
On Nov. 28, 1949, Neil married Thelma Louise Tidd in Neosho Falls at her parents’ home. They lived and farmed in the Neosho Falls and Geneva areas.
He served on the boards of the Piqua Co-op, Le Roy Co-op and U.S.D. 257 school district. He was a former Mason and Shriner. He enjoyed woodworking.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Thelma, of the home; three sons, Jerry and his wife, Jeanne, Meridian, Idaho, Dave and his wife, Diane, Neosho Falls, and D.J. and his wife, Sheila, Fort Scott; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Duane, and a sister, Irene Hodges.
Friends and family will meet at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola at 1:30 p.m. Thursday for visitation before leaving for graveside services at Geneva Cemetery at 2:30. Chaplain Lloyd W. Houk will officiate.
Memorials to Shriners Hospitals for Children may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Neil Bedenbender
