Jeremy Earl Bender

Jeremy Earl Bender, 46, of Bluffton, SC, went home to Heaven on September 22, 2021 at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, South Carolina.  Jeremy was born on August 4, 1975 in Windber, Pennsylvania.  He is the son of Cathy L. (Stutzman) Griffith and Marlin C. Griffith of Somerset, Pennsylvania.

Jeremy is survived by his wife Jessica Andra Bender, to whom he was joyously married to for 17 years; children of whom he was immensely proud: William Bender, James Bender and Alex Bender, all of Bluffton, SC; sisters, Beth Ann Houpt and husband Dave of Friedens, PA, Dawn Davis and husband Greg of Somerset, PA, and sister-in-law Kim Bender of Friedens, PA; maternal grandparents Clifford and Sally Stutzman of Berlin, PA; nieces and nephews Britney Houpt, Devin Houpt and wife Laekyn, Brayden Houpt, Christian Bender, Hannah Drane and Tyler Drane; great nephew and niece, Mason Graff and Avery Houpt; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Matthew Scott Bender of Friedens, PA and paternal grandparents, Ken and Thelma Griffith of Boswell, PA. 

Jeremy attended public school in Somerset, PA and went on to earn a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from the University of Kentucky.  Over the years, Jeremy worked in retail and real estate until finding that his natural talents and abilities would lead him into a very successful career in the automotive industry.  He spent the last several years at Vaden of Beaufort as a Sales Manager with a great team of people.  One of his most favorite recent memories from his time at Vaden was going to Las Vegas to drive the new Corvette C8 at the Ron Fellowes Performance Driving School.  A special thank you to all of the people he worked with over the years…he truly valued each of you. 

It says a lot about a man when you don’t have enough space to list everything that makes him so wonderful.  He was a friend to everyone and looked for ways to helps others, whether helping to fix a car or support local groups.  He was involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for several years, volunteered at soup kitchens during holidays, helped serve the homeless in Savannah and had a passion for supporting our military, police and first responders. 

Jeremy loved skateboarding, cars, motorcycles…basically anything with wheels and a motor.  Skating with his sons and working on his Jeep with them were his two favorite things to do.  His sense of humor and sharp, quick wit will be missed by all.  He was loved by so many and we are forever thankful and praise our Heavenly Father for giving us Jeremy and letting us love him for too short a time. 

A very special thank you to the nurses, doctors and staff at Coastal Carolina Hospital ICU department.  They took amazing care of Jeremy.  Our heartfelt thanks go to his nurses: Dasha, Stephanie, Sheryl, Bana, Christy, Mandy, Lisa, Hannah, Sarah, and especially Mary Beth and Kenny.  Our sincere thanks to the Vaden organization, especially Jane Vaden Thatcher and Tami Powers for their love and support.  Thank you, also, to the staff and Pastors of Lowcountry Community Church for their support during this difficult time. You can honor Jeremy by donating to www.OPFOB.org or Tunnels to Towers Foundation. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Lowcountry Community Church in Bluffton, SC.  A reception will follow at the church. 

Memorial Service:  4:00 PM; October 9, 2021 at 130 Hilltop Road; Friedens, PA  15541.  

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