WALLINGFORD - John W. Stender, 89, entered into rest on March 31, 2012 at the Alzheimer's Resource Center in Plantsville. He was the former husband of the late Flora (Huelstede) Stender. He was born in Durham, July 9, 1922 a son of the late William and Adeline Rich Stender. Mr. Stender was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army. John married Flora in March 1946. John and Flora spent nearly all of their married life together in the house they had built. He retired from Wallace Silversmith & Sons were he was a tool and die maker. He was a former member of the Major Raoul Lufbery V.F.W. Post # 591 in Wallingford. John enjoyed woodworking and started making novelty items and bird houses. He also enjoyed his fishing trips with his close friend, Vic, to Niantic for flats and stripers. John was a good fisherman bringing home plenty of fish. His other interests included gardening, playing cards and spending time at the casino. He is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Eleanor and Richard Musso, Nancy Yale, Shirley and Joseph Barillaro and Cheryl and Jim McCaffrey all of Wallingford, two brothers, William Stender of Middletown, and Edward Stender of Cromwell, two grandchildren, Christine Bergeron and Joe Barillaro II, and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 South Elm Street, Wallingford. Burial with military honors will be at Mica Hill Cemetery in Durham. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 4th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. John's family would like to thank the professional staff and caring aides of the Alzheimer's Resource Center for the excellent care John received during his stay. They truly treated John with care and dignity. Contributions in John's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Center, 1261 Main St., Plantsville, CT 06479. To leave a message of remembrance or to find directions, please visit www.BCBailey.com.