Julianna Bender

Julianna Bender, 71, of Goshen, died on February 13, 2020 after an 11-month journey with cancer.  She was born on June 13, 1948 in Sturgis, Michigan to Tobias and Erma (Eash) Bontrager.  She grew up on a farm south of Middlebury and graduated from Middlebury High School in 1966.  She attended Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Virginia, from 1968-70, and in 1980 graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in Psychology.   In 1982 she received a Masters in Social Work degree from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.    Alongside her studies, Julie worked at First State Bank, Middlebury; First National Bank, Goshen; Northeastern Center, Lagrange; and Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Middlebury.

Several months of study and service with Youth With A Mission in Texas and Belize in 1984-85 were transformative in her life.

On August 10, 1986, Julie married Philip Bender in Goshen.  She moved with him to Altona, Manitoba, where she supported him in his work as a teacher at the Elim Bible Institute and also taught some classes.

In 1988, Julie and Philip undertook an assignment with the Mennonite Board of Missions to Ghana, West Africa, where they taught pastors of African Initiated Churches at the Good News Training Institute in Accra.

Returning to Canada in 1993, Julie and Philip co-pastored two Ontario Mennonite churches:   Zurich (1993-97) and Hamilton (1997-2004).  In Hamilton Julie also gave early leadership to Circles of Support and Accountability, a program of Mennonite Central Committee which assists sex offenders in reintegrating into society.  This experience gave birth to an interest in restorative justice that she pursued to the end of her life.

In 2004, Julie and Philip accepted another international mission assignment, this time to China with Mennonite Partners in China and Mennonite Church Canada.  They taught English at universities in Chongqing and Dazhou for 9 years, until mid-2013.   A blessing of these China years was acquiring several Chinese godchildren, whom they visited on three later return trips to China.

Julie and Philip moved back to Goshen in August, 2016.  During a voluntary service assignment at Eastern Mennonite University from September 2016 to August 2017, Julie became part of the Valley Justice Coalition of Harrisonburg, Virginia.  Her advocacy on behalf of prison inmates led to an article she wrote for Sojourners magazine under the title, “Who Pays for Prison? “

In retirement Julie served as a Caring Friend volunteer at Greencroft Retirement Center, and continued to pursue her interests in home decorating, restorative justice, counseling, reading and spiritual direction.  Her delicious homemade pies were renowned.

Julie will be remembered by her many local and international friends for her warm and vibrant spirit, her delight in homemaking and hosting guests, her strong faith, and her heart for those on the margins of society.

She is survived by her husband Philip; a brother, Merle (Barbara) Bontrager of Goshen; a sister, Sharon Kennell of Plainfield, Indiana; and two nieces and three nephews.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen.  A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, with Pastors Rachel Nafziger Hartzler and Pamela Yoder leading.

A private family burial will take place at a later time in Griner Cemetery, Middlebury.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mennonite Mission Network or Mennonite Central Committee, designated China Ministries.