DIX — Launda L. Pender, 98, of Dix, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at her home.

She was born November 4, 1924, in Dongola, Illinois, the daughter of H. Cecil Keller and Mina Melinda (Lingle) Keller. She married Forrest D. Pender on December 22, 1942, in Jackson, Missouri and he preceded her in death on July 10, 2014.

Launda is survived by her son, Michael Pender and wife Margaret of Dix; five grandchildren: Michelle Mays and husband Rod of Dix, Melinda Angles and husband Rob of Centralia, Mamie Curtner and husband Adam of Walnut Hill, Micki Newcomb and husband Nate of Mascoutah, and Mike Pender and wife Kelly of Carlyle; sixteen great-grandchildren: Holly and Nick, Cody, Riley and Katie, Rusty and Shelby, Roger, Bobby, Kylie and Justin, Jack, Clara, Juanita, Garret, Joeli, Lane and Reid; five great-great-grandchildren: Brock, Cabrien, Rowen, Elric, and Rin; one sister: Fae Bankert of Dongola; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Cecil and Mina Keller, her step-mother: Inez Keller, husband: Forrest Pender, son: Roger Dean Pender, grandson: Mark Allen Pender, and four sisters: Ruby Youngblood, Beatrice Dillow, Colleen Slusher, and Joy Boch.

Launda was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Tri-City Church of Christ in Central City. Forrest, Launda, Mike and Margaret opened Farm Fresh in Centralia in 1971. Launda and Forrest loved to travel and spent 30 years in Arizona. She never met a stranger and she loved sharing stories from the past. Launda loved and cherished the time she spent with her family.

A funeral service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, December 16, 2022, at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Elder Gordon Bennett officiating. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5:00 PM until the time of service at the Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the American Legion Cemetery in Dongola, Illinois.
Memorials may be made in Launda’s honor to the Tri-City Church of Christ or to SSM Hospice and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, 618-532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Pender family.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page.