Beloved child of Jesus, Jean Emily Bender of Elkhart Indiana, in her 88th year passed peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Jean was predeceased by her parents Veronica & Allan Bender and her brother Vernon of Wellesley Ontario as well as her brother-in-law Alvin Roth. She is lovingly remembered by her siblings Madeline Roth, Delmar & Mary Bender and Grace & Oliver Brunk. She is also dearly missed by her nieces and nephews Barry & Denise, Barbara, Jim & Kim, Bob, Darlene, Paul & Carolyn, Gloria & David, Keith & Micheline, Brian & Heather, Joyce & John and her thirteen grandnieces & nephews and her five great grandnieces & nephews. She will also be missed by many dear friends, especially Max & Sharon Eby, Billy Jo Pawlak and Carla Riley. Jean was born at home on July 3, 1928 in Wellesley, Ontario. She grew up on a farm just west of Kingwood Ontario where her love of animals began. She attended elementary school in Wellesley and Kingwood. She did not attend secondary school so that she could work at home on the farm. At age 17 Jean had a kidney removed and while in hospital was introduced to the world of healthcare. She worked as an aid at KW Hospital from age 18 to 20. As a mature student she attended Goshen College in Indiana where she earned her BSc in Nursing. After a year of nursing at Victoria Hospital in London Ontario she continued her education at Indiana University and earned her Masters of Health Education. Jean then began her 30-year career of school nursing with the Elkhart and Mishawaka School Boards where she greatly enjoyed caring for and interacting with the students. Over the years she continued to enjoy the many relationships she had built with students and faculty during that time. While working as a school nurse she also worked at Elkhart General in all areas of the hospital but especially in the ER. Her career there spanned 44 years. She thoroughly enjoyed the hard work but also the fun and camaraderie with her colleagues. Jean had a deep and unfaltering faith in her Savior Jesus Christ. She was an active member of Prairie Street Mennonite Church where she enjoyed Christian guidance, Bible study, music and fellowship. Jean was an exceptionally generous and loving person. She enjoyed travel and gardening but most of all, Jean loved to be with people. Friends may call from 2 pm until the time of service at 3 pm, Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Prairie Street Mennonite Church, 1316 Prairie Street, Elkhart, IN, with the Reverend Nelson Kraybill officiating. Burial will take place in Canada. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee or Prairie Street Mennonite Church.