Duane A. (Doc) Bender, 86, of Freeport, IL, and previously of Cedarville, IL, passed away on September 3, 2025, at FHN in Freeport. He was born on December 5, 1938, in Freeport to Alvin & Jere (Mussellman) Bender. He attended school in Savanna, IL. He married Shelly Johnson on May 22, 1965 in Carpentersville, IL. He worked as a drywall finisher and was known as the "drywall doctor" Memberships included ABATE of IL, moose club, archery club, and trap shooting club.

Survivors include 2 sons: Duane (Debbie) Bender Jr of Cambridge, MN, and Douglas (Jennifer) Bender of Linwood, MN; 1 daughter-in-law Jeri Bender of Monroe, WI, 1 sister Marcy Elliot of Freeport, IL, 1 sister-in-law Betty Bender of Springfield, MO, 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shelly, son Davee, son Derek, brother Mike, and nephew Mikey.

A visitation will be held on Saturday September 6, 2025, from 4 PM – 7 PM, at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel, 608 S. Park Blvd in Freeport, IL.

*A special source of comfort in his last couple of years was his niece, Dalene Preston, whose devotion and care for her uncle will always be remembered with gratitude.

Throughout the years, Duane enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing with family and friends. He could often be found on the archery range or shooting leagues, where he proudly achieved many perfect scores.

As a teenager, Duane worked as a railroad track sweeper in the winter and as a ticket taker at the movie theatre in Savanna, IL. Later, he worked alongside his mother at RevCore in Carpentersville, IL. What he was remembered most for however, was his skill as a "drywall doctor". He took great pride in teaching his sons, and many others, the tricks of the trade.

One of his favorite pastimes was spending time with Shelly, especially when the two of them set out together on his Harley Davidson for a day of adventure.