Darrell Keith Bendorf

Darrell Bendorf, age 72, of Harvard, Illinois, passed away November 21, 2021, surrounded by his loved ones, including his sweetheart of 48 years, Charlotte. He was known by several names: husband, father, grandpa, friend, surrogate papa, and to many, he was simply Pastor.

Darrell was born March 27, 1949, to Lyle and Ruth (Quincy) Bendorf in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. He attended New Providence School in Livingston, Wisconsin, a one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Iowa-Grant High School in 1968, then attended Bob Jones University, where he graduated with a degree in theology. He completed his formal education at Grace Theological Seminary in 1985, with a Master’s degree in Divinity.

While serving as Assistant Pastor at Monroe Bible Church, Darrell met and fell in love with a parishioner’s daughter, Charlotte Philips. He proposed to her in the choir loft and on Valentine’s Day, 1973 they married. They brought 2 children into the world, Adam and Katie, and Darrell often proudly boasted 7 grandchildren, the majority of them being red heads.

Darrell took his first pastoral position at a tiny church in Arkansas, and soon after, he and his wife moved to Winamac, Indiana, where he began his family and met life-long friends Dan and Linda Lehman. God had yet another place in mind, though, and He ultimately led Darrell, Charlotte, and their children to Harvard, where he served as Pastor at Harvard Bible Church for 35 years. There, he and his family found wonderful friends in Christ, who walked alongside them through many joys as well as a few trials, too.

Darrell loved life. He was thrilled by its simple pleasures, such as his little schnauzer Tippi, good jokes and long road trips, old books, old maps, old friends…but most of all Darrell loved Jesus. And because he loved Jesus, Darrell loved the people that Jesus brought into his life. This shone through in everything he did.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Charlotte Bendorf, son Adam (Anna) Bendorf of Idaho, and daughter Katie (Paul) Chivari of Harvard. He is also survived by his siblings Ervin (Joan) Bendorf, Edward (Judy) Bendorf, and Gwendolyn (Richard) Stauffacher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth (Quincy) Bendorf and Lyle Bendorf, and his brother, Lance Corporal David Bendorf.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 24,11am-12 pm at Harvard Bible Church, 5817 Island Road, Harvard, IL, with service immediately to follow. 

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