Carl "Mike" Fender

Carl Michael Fender born September 17, 1934 passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Mike was the son of Roge E. Fender and Louise A. (Brugger) Fender.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Roge and Louise Fender, his nine siblings, Charles Bonnie, Wallis, Maxine (Fender) Pursselly, Pauline (Fender) Storie, Ola Grace (Fender) Bassman, Dorothy (Fallin) Day, Everett, Helen (Fender) Taylor and Jacqueline (Fender) Baron. Mike’s daughter-in-law Gwen (Vander-ark) Fender Randy’s wife.

Mike is survived by his skating and square dance partner of 69 years Loretta D. (Jones) Fender. His sister-in-law Ann Fender, daughters Vickie and husband Pat Wand, Pam Leutzinger, both of Springfield, sons Randy Fender of Fair Grove, Rodney and wife Denise Fender of Springfield.
Grandchildren: Andrew Hankermeyer, Stuart and wife Emily Wand, Natalie Wand, Laci (Fender)and husband Dan Tower, Katrina (Fender)and husband Michael Overton, Sydney Leutzinger, Nicole (Fender) and husband Will Roberts, Tomi Glidewell, Lindsey (Glidewell) and husband David Heezel . Great grandchildren, Ebbie and Connor Wand, Grayson Stormont, Hunter and Josilynn Overton, Leland Leutzinger and Liam Roberts, Pierson Daily, Anika and Kai Heezel. Mike is also survived by many loved Nephews and Nieces.

Mike attended St. Joseph Elementary, Pipkin Middle school then graduated from Senior High in Springfield.

Mike was always on the move (working) by delivering groceries as a young man, repairing radiators at Terrill-Phelps Chevrolet moving up to the parts department where he worked with his brother Everett and retired from Reliable Chevrolet. Of course, one job was never enough, on October 6, 1958 he became a Springfield firefighter and worked 24hrs on and 24hrs off shifts. So you can imagine with four young kids, if we ever got hurt or mom set the beans on fire while cooking he was at work. He never missed calling us each night before we went to bed and if he did we knew he was at a fire or rescue. He retired from his second job after 35 years of service May 6, 1992.

Mike was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, greeter at Saturday evening Masses at St. Joseph’s and Union Member of the Springfield Fire Dept. In his spare time he worked on cars in the back yard, tore things apart to take to the junk yard, went to estate sales and brought home “treasures”. But he did have fun, he could really cut a rug on the square dance floor and of course was a really good skater. He loved to play games, horseshoes, croquet, cribbage, poker, Tripoly,he worked puzzles and all kinds of dominos. In his last few years, his favorite nemesis at dominos was Angie Brixen, a beloved neighbor who would come play anytime of the day or night. Mike biggest claim to fame was he could beat anyone at ping pong using an iron skillet. Summers were full of camping, boat rides and pulling every kid skiing. You could see him coming with a towel on his legs and one on his head if he forgot his hat so he wouldn’t get sunburned.

Mike never knew a stranger, would help anyone in a blink of an eye, would come to anyones defense or aid when needed, he was a true example of how you should live without ever saying a word. He carried a cross everyday in his pocket to work and had his rosary in his old truck. His words of wisdom to everyone were “Cheer up, things could be worse” if you asked how he was he’d say “fat and sassy” If you asked what he wanted it was always a “Pink Cadillac and a million dollars”; however, his final saying would be “In a hundred years nobody’s going to know the difference”. We think the world will disagree, he made a difference to every person he touched.

The one thing that Carl Michael Fender could NOT do was sing, couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but he loved to sing and he had country music or the oldies of KTTS playing in his truck at all times and could sing “Cotton Eyed Joe” till the very end.

Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm Thursday, October 24th at Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home 500 E. Walnut Street, prayer service to begin at 6:30 pm. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am Friday October 25th at St. Joseph Catholic Church 1115 S. Campbell. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens with a luncheon back at the church following the burial.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.

The family would like to extend a very special thanks to Access Hospice, especially Sally, who was there from the very beginning and Sutton In-Home Senior Care, Martina and Emma for the loving care they gave to dad and the love and friendship they gave to mom. You have been family.