Wilma Maxine Bender, 92, of Columbia City, passed away at 5:25 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the Waters, Columbia City, where she had resided since May of 2023.

Born on October 7, 1931, in LaGrange, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Kenneth Ermal Day and Olive Theatice (Cotner) Day.  She began school in Wolcottville, then after the family moved to Washington Twp, Whitley County, she graduated from Washington Center School in 1949.

While working as a telephone operator for United Telephone in Columbia City, she met and married Charles Irvin Bender on May 30, 1958.  They made their first home in Larwill and then South Whitley finally locating on a small farm in rural Columbia City.  Charles died on December 28, 2010.

In addition to being a homemaker, Wilma worked for over ten years at the telephone company.  She then worked at Meadowbrook Manor retiring after many years of service in the kitchen department.  She was an active and faithful member of the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene and a former member of the Order of Eastern Star.

She enjoyed gardening, especially flowers that adorned her home.  She kept in close contact with her sister, regularly visiting her even after she moved to a care facility in Fort Wayne.  Wilma and her husband like long leisurely drives down the county roads of the area and going out to eat.  Family reunions and high school reunions were important events for Wilma as she was a regular.  When the grandkids came along, they were her focus and joy.

Surviving are her children, Charla B. (Patrick) Higgins of Fort Wayne, Julia A. (Rick) Quiring of Decatur, TX, Kathryn R. (Brian) Paseka and Charles L. (Anita) Bender, both of Columbia City; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a son, Daryl A. Bender; brothers, Wilbur and Donald Day; and sisters, Vesta Bennett and Norma Warnick.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial is at the Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City.

Memorials in Wilma's honor are to the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene or Heart-To-Heart Hospice.