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- Obit: Champaign News Gazette & Pantagraph.com
FISHER – Kenneth Delton Cender, 82, died at the Gibson Area Hospital Annex at 8:30 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 19, 2011), following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Kenn was born on July 20, 1928, to the late Roy and Mamie (Park) Cender of rural Fisher. He first attended Brown Township School and later Center School. On Oct. 15, 1949, he was united in marriage to Betty Jean Nafziger in the Hopedale Mennonite Church.
Mr. Cender owned and operated a farm outside of Fisher from 1947 until he retired in 1980.
Kenn was a member of the Gibson City Bible Church where he served in various ministries and activities over the years. When his children were young, he enjoyed singing in a quartet. The church bowling team usually benefited from his presence each week. Kenn sang for many years in the church choir which his wife, Betty Jean, directed. In the summers and sometimes on Sundays he would help by driving the church bus, picking up children who wanted to attend Vacation Bible School or Sunday school. He also served as an usher, Sunday school teacher, high school youth group sponsor, and later as Sunday school superintendent and on the deacon board.
Kenn's wife, Betty Jean, died from cancer on Oct. 28, 1994. Later he married Carolyn Culbertson of Gibson City on Sept. 27, 2003, in the Fisher Community Church.
Kenn is survived by his second wife, Carolyn; six children, Barbara (Mark) Unzicker of rural Fisher, David (Christine) Cender of rural Fisher, Beth (Ron) Gaudio of Miami, Fla., Sue (Keith) Gaesser of Gibson City, Jan (Greg) Kerber of Gibson City and Jodi (Kevin) Copass of Bloomington; 33 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce (Frank) Oyer of Goshen, Ind.; a brother, Ron (Barbara) Cender of Brooksville, Fla.; two stepdaughters; and four step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jean, and both of his parents.
A private family burial is planned.
A memorial fund has been established in his name for the Worship Department of the Gibson City Bible Church.
We would like to thank the staff of the Gibson City Hospital Annex and the Knights Templar Home in Paxton for all their help and support.
Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City is in charge of the arrangements.
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