Milton - Thomas H. Bender, beloved husband and father passed away Oct. 12, 2025, in his home, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was the husband of Gail for 65 years and the father of four children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Thomas was the son of the late I. Joseph and Mary (Bieber) Bender, and was proceeded in death by his wife Gail; sister-in-law, Phyllis Inmon Yohe and a nephew, Darrel Inmon.

Thomas graduated from Milton High School in 1953 and went to work in York, Pa., for General Electric for four years. In 1958, he served with the U.S. Army at Fort Dix and then served in the National Guard Company #1068, 154 Transportation Battalion for six years. He moved back to Milton, Pa., and worked at Milton Manufacturing/Cargil Steel as an electrical foreman until the plant closed down in 1991. In 1992, he went to work at Butter Crust Bakery (Bimbo Bakery) as maintenance and foreman until they closed in 2012.

Thomas's hobby was wood working. He was an excellent at it, making hundreds of projects for family and friends. The family will cherish these beautiful pieces of art forever!

Thomas and Gail enjoyed traveling, taking cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, Panama Canel, the Caribbean and other ports. They revisited Williamsburg and Florida with the children and grandchildren. He was a wonderful, caring husband, father and friend, he brought out the best in all that know him. He also loved animals, especially all the six dogs he raised and his grand-cats and grand-dogs.

Tom is survived by three daughters, Lynda Bender and her husband Richard Zeskind of Marriottsville, Md., Crystal and David Reid of Bellefonte, Pa., Sharon and Dean Lusby of Sunbury, Pa., and one son, T. Mark and Stacey Bender of Yule, Fla., and the following grandchildren: Sara Gligora and Justin Kinney, Heather Gligora, Sidney Jo Mistysyn , Brandon and Emily Reid, Nathaniel Reid, Dalton Bender, Peighton Bender; seven great grand-children, two nephews, Jim Inmon and Thomas Scott of Florida, and his beloved dog, Sophia.

Services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, with the viewing prior at 10 a.m. at Follmer Lutheran Church, 372 Grange Hall Road, Milton, Pa., followed by a burial at Milton Cemetery.

The family will be holding a memorial service for Thomas and Gail Bender to celebrate their lives on Oct. 25, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Wynding Brook Golf Course in Milton, Pa. Please contact the family directly for additional details.

Arrangements are under the care of the Shaw Funeral Home, 400 N. Front St., Milton.

Condolences may be shared at www.shawfuneralhomeinc.com.