OBITUARY Sharon Lee Bender nee Skelton departed this life in Sullivan, MO on Saturday, March 23, 2024, having reached the age of eighty years, five months, and five days. Sharon was born in Conran, MO on October 18, 1943, daughter of Richard Wayne Skelton, Sr. and Vonnie Lee Skelton nee Curtis. On August 8, 2008 she was united in marriage to Lee Joseph Bender. Sharon is survived by her husband Lee Joseph Bender of St. Clair, MO; by her children Ray Leuthauser, Jr. and wife, Carrie of Cedar Hill, MO, Steve Leuthauser and wife, Lynn, of Cedar Hill, MO, Michele Reasoner and boyfriend, Tony Storie, of St. Clair, MO, Tamara Lister and husband, John, of St, Clair, MO, Kathy Gentner and husband, Will, of Hallsville, MO, Jeanette Bender of Fenton, MO, and Julie Fischer and husband Christopher, of Florissant, MO; by her brother-in-law Christopher Bender of Elsberry, MO; by her sisters-in-law Patricia Bender and Michele Bicknell and husband, Michael, of Imperial, MO; by nineteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Wayne, Sr. and Vonnie Lee Skelton; and by her brothers, Richard "Wayne" Skelton, Jr., Vernon Skelton, and Michael Skelton. During Sharons working career she worked at Wainwright Industries Inc. and retired from there after 30years of service to the company. She loved playing bingo and the lottery, especially the scratch offs. She also loved to travel and go on vacations with Lee. What meant most to her was time spent with family. The love they shared and many precious memories they created will forever be cherished by them all. A kind and loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great and great-great aunt cousin and treasured friend, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Friday, March 29, 2024 at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, March 29, 2024 at the funeral home with Rev. Ben Kingston officiating. Interment will be in Crestview Memorial Park in St. Clair, MO.