TOPEKA — Clara Bender, age 97, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 8:10 PM at North Ridge Village in Albion. She was born on May 29, 1917 to Jacob and Elizabeth (Lehman) Miller in Middlebury, Indiana. Mrs. Bender was a lifetime area resident and was a member of the Maple Grove Church. She enjoyed sewing and was an accomplished seamstress. She loved growing her own flowers. Clara enjoyed spending time with her family, especially playing board games with her grandchildren. She was still working crossword puzzles and checking books out of the library until she was 95. She is survived by her seven children, Robert Bender of Green Valley, Arizona, Les (Judy) Bender of Albion, Romayne (Clara) Bender of Northport, Florida, Dean Bender of Goshen, Rose (Steven) Kienzler of LaOtto, Bonnie (Tom) Harlan of Ocala, Florida, and Gwen (Mike) Stump of Elkhart; 16 grandchildren, 23 great- grandchildren, numerous great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Alvin J. Miller of Millersburg. She was preceded in death by her parents; two children, Gene Bender and Dayle Ann Bender; grandson, Jonathon Bender; and four siblings. There will be a funeral service held in Mrs. Bender's honor on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Maple Grove Church with Pastor Barry St. Clair and Pastor Harold Gingerich officiating. Burial will be in Clinton Union Cemetery, Goshen, Indiana. A time of visitation will be Friday, January 9, 2015 from 3-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the Maple Grove Church. Memorial contributions are to Maple Grove Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.yeagerfuneralhome.com.