Claudia Sue Bender

Claudia Sue Bender, age 84, of St. Marys, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen.

She was born on September 15, 1941, in St. Marys, Ohio, to the late Charles Goldentz and M. Eileen (Mallory) Murr. On December 4, 1961, Claudia married Robert Lee Bender, who preceded her in death.

Claudia was a 1959 graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School. She was a dedicated business owner, founding and operating St. Marys Nutritional Foods beginning in 1986. She owned and operated the business for many years and took great pride in serving her community and building lasting relationships with her customers.

She was a past member of the St. Marys Saddle Club, where she and her husband enjoyed riding horses in parades. Claudia loved organic gardening and flowers and had a lifelong passion for the study of herbs, nutrition, and natural healing. She was well respected for her knowledge and enjoyed educating others about alternative medicine and holistic health.

She is survived by her sister, Kendra (Greg) Ferrall of St. Marys; two granddaughters, Alyssa (Mike) Eikleberry of Shreve, Ohio, and Teresa (Steve) Strauss of Wooster; two great-grandsons; step-grandsons; her sister-in-law, Lena Goldenetz, Fremont, Ohio; her cousin, Kevin (Kathryn) Hirschfeld of New Jersey; her special friend, Joyce Koenig of Kentucky; and many loving nieces and a nephew.

Claudia was also preceded in death by her son, Robert Eugene Bender; and two brothers, Dewey Goldenetz and Edward Goldenetz.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Cisco Funeral Home in St. Marys, with Pastor Hurlburt officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Graveside services will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio.

The family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the St. Marys Community Public Library, 140 S. Chestnut St., St. Marys, Ohio 45885.

The Bender family extends their heartfelt gratitude for the care, compassion, and support shown during this difficult time. To share memories or express condolences, please visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or the Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.

Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina & St. Marys are honored to serve the Bender family.