In Memory
Leon Bernard Bendit
September 17, 1928 ~ October 11, 2024 (age 96)
Leon Bernard Bendit
“A Life Well-Lived”
Leon Bernard Bendit, 96, of South Bend passed away Friday, October 11, 2024. He was born on September 17, 1928 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Albert and Helen (Gehring) Bendit. Following Helen’s death, Bertha (Newcomer) Bendit became Leon’s stepmother. Leon married the love of his life, Jeanne Roth on December 6, 1952 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka. He was preceded in death by Jeanne, his step-brother Richard Schiffer, and his brother-in-law James Wilson. He is survived by his daughter Deborah Carroll (Pat) of Niles, MI and son David Bendit (Deb) of Landisville, PA, nine grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and sister Marilyn Wilson.
Leon graduated from John Adams High School (1946) and Indiana University (1952). He rode in the very first IU Little 500 Bike Race in 1951 and participated in the 50th Anniversary celebration of the race in 2001. He proudly served in the Army during the Korean War from 1952-1954.
He taught math for 39 years for the South Bend Community School Corporation at South Bend Central High School, Jackson High School and Riley High School. He was the Head of the Math Department at Jackson and Riley. He also worked at the Teachers Credit Union (TCU) for almost 40 years and served on the TCU Board of Directors from 1961 to 1970.
He was active in the lay ministry at St. Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church serving as a Eucharist minister, usher, gift bearer at Mass, counting collections, working in the food pantry and volunteering at funeral lunches. Leon and Jeanne also delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years.
Leon loved his family and especially cherished spending wonderful vacations with them. He also enjoyed camping, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, playing Euchre, taking care of his vegetable and flower gardens, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, October 18 at St. Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church at 54191 N. Ironwood, South Bend, IN 46635. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, October 17 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the church, or from 10:00 to 11:00 am prior to the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the church may be made in Leon’s memory. To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
10/15/2024 DEC
|