Stephen Irven Bender, loved the outdoors

Stephen Irven Bender, 58, formerly of Levittown, N.Y., passed away suddenly Monday, April 17, 2023.   

Stephen was raised in Levittown, N.Y., and was a 1983 graduate of Harry S. Truman High School (Go Tigers!). He played guitar, was part of the orchestra band, and was drum major for the Truman Tigers marching band.  He graduated from Penco Tech with an associate’s degree in computer engineering technology and was currently working for Staley Technologies as a data technologist.  

Stephen was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, and was happiest when he was outdoors in the woods hiking and hunting, or on any body of water boating and fishing. He had received many awards for his fishing expeditions, including one as recently as last July, for exceptional sheepshead fish he caught in Virginia. 

Stephen is survived by his heartbroken parents, Irven and Jean Bender of Long Neck; his sister, Catherine Unrath (Robert); his brother Daniel Bender (Donna); his nephews, Jason Unrath (Cassie) and Casey Unrath; his nieces, Daneen Bender and Desarae Jones (David); along with his great-nephews, Oliver Unrath and Jameson Jones; and his great-niece, Emilia Unrath. He will also be missed dearly by his brother from another mother and best friend, Guy Blake (Robin).  

A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m., Monday, May 1, at Melson Funeral Services Long Neck Chapel, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends and family may gather starting at 10 a.m. Burial will follow services at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 32112 Vines Creek Road, Dagsboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Stephen’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Boys Town, P.O. Box 8000, Boys Town, NE 68010.

Online condolences may be made by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.