Rita Stull Bender-Wedding

Rita Stull Bender Wedding, 88, of Owensboro, passed quietly away Tuesday morning, September 12, 2017 surrounded by her family. Rita was born in Daviess County on December 17, 1928 to the late John W. Stull, Sr. and Josephine A. Young. She graduated from St. Francis Academy and worked at the Honey Crust Bakery for a short time before her marriage to George W. Bender, Sr. on November 22, 1950. Later in her life Rita also worked in the catalogue sales department of Sears and as a teller at Owensboro National Bank. Her true vocation in life, however, was that of wife and mother. She was a member of the Daviess County Homemakers Club for many years and a 4-H Club leader. She was a founding member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. More recently, she was a member of The Immaculate Catholic Church and served in numerous capacities including leader in the Over Fifty Club. In 2006 she was awarded The Diocesan Sophia Award for her dedicated service in the church. Rita loved her family and spent many hours recording family history and preserving photos on her computer. Her hobbies included crocheting, sewing, golf, reading and playing games on her iPad. She was a University of Kentucky Basketball fan and though, confined to her recliner in later years, she continued to enjoyed the games.
Before his death in 1975, George and Rita spent 25 wonderful year together raising five children. Eight years later, Rita married Joseph Thomas Wedding. They also had 25 years together sharing the later years of their lives traveling and playing golf before Joseph's death in 2008.
Rita was preceded to heaven by her parents; her first husband, George W. Bender, Sr.; her second husband, Joseph T. Wedding; her son, George W. Bender Jr.; her infant granddaughter Meredith Marie Higdon; her sister Catherine Stull Bickwermert; her sons-in law Jeff Ashworth and Darrel Whittaker.
Rita's surviving legacy includes one sister, Mary Ruth Stull of Solomons, Md. and two brothers, John W. Stull Jr. of Owensboro, and Charles Donald Stull of Kirby, Or. Survivors also include Rita and George's four daughters, Cathy L. Bender Foster (Wayne); Rebecca L. Bender Whittaker (the late Darrel); Theresa M. Bender Ashworth (the late Jeff); Loretta J. Bender Higdon (Perry). Fifteen grandchildren: Andrea Bender Husk, Katie Bender Hanks, Cody Bender, Michelle Foster Jones, Kyle Foster, Melonie Foster Young, Robert W. Foster, Heather Foster Naas, Summer Foster Payne, Chris Whittaker, Cindy Whittaker Fulkerson, Haleigh Ashworth Woodard, Eric Ashworth, Will Higdon and Jonathan Higdon. In addition, Rita is survived by twenty-three great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.
It was Rita's desire to live out her life at home. With the help of family and some very dear caregivers this was made possible. The family gratefully acknowledges the care given by Samantha Johnson, Daviona Parm, Lindsey Board and the dear Phyllis Siddon who became like a surrogate daughter to Rita.
The celebration of Rita's life will be held at Glenn Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Prayers and memory sharing will begin at 7 p.m. There will also be visitation on Friday morning beginning at 8:30 prior to the celebration of the Holy Mass at The Immaculate Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at Elmwood Cemetery.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to one of the following charities: St. Vincent DePaul Society, The Hospice of Western Kentucky, the Boulware Center or the Pitino Shelter. Memories and expressions of condolence may be left at www.glenncares.com