Jacob L. Bender

	Jacob L. Jake Bender Sr., age 94, of Pinckneyville, died Tuesday, October 9, 2001 at 12:03 a.m. in the Pinckneyville Community Hospital.
	Jake was born the son of John William and Mary Catherine (Yung) Bender on September 8, 1907 in Conant.  He was united in marriage to Alice McDaniel in Pinckneyville on October 11, 1940 at  St. Pauls United Church of Christ and she preceded him in death on August 18, 1980.  Jake had been a business leader in Pinckneyville for many years.  He worked with his father at the old Farmers Store, then as co-owner of the Gann and Benders Supermarket in Pinckneyville.  Jake also served as Mayor of Pinckneyville for 14 years.  Prior to that, he served as Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of Finance, for a total of 16 years.  During this time, he was both President, in 1976, and Vice President, for many years, of the Illinois Municipal League.  Jake was also a member of St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Pinckneyville and served on the Consistory.  He was a lifetime member of the Pinckneyville Lions Club, a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award, a volunteer fireman for many years and was instrumental in the acquisition of Pinckneyvilles Bender Municipal Swimming Pool.
	Jake is survived by his son, Jacob L. Bender Jr. of Pinckneyville; two daughters, Betty Mucha and husband John David and Barbara Hagene and husband Eddie Joe, all of Pinckneyville; nine grandchildren, Betsy Cacioppo, John, Billy and David Mucha, Cheryl Baggott, Rebekah, Edward Jr., Scott and Jillian Hagene and two great-grandchildren, Lauren and Melanie Cacioppo.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife and two sisters, Mabel Thomas and Viola Lipe.
	Funeral services were held at St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Pinckneyville on Thursday, October 11 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Karen Stahr Terada officiating.  Interment was in the Mueller Hill Cemetery in Pinckneyville.
	 Friends called at the church Wednesday evening from 6 until 9 p.m. and again on Thursday morning from 8 a.m. until services.
	  Memorials may be made to the Bender Municipal Pool or the St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Pinckneyville.
	 Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home in Pinckneyville was in charge of arrangements.
