Calvin John Bendele, age 88, of D'Hanis went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011. He was born on the Fritz Rothe Ranch near D'Hanis, on April 8, 1922, the son of George and Dora (Rothe) Bendele. A graduate of D'Hanis High School, Class of 1941, Calvin was a member of the first six-man football team in D'Hanis. He served on the Medina Valley Soil Conservation District Board, Medina County Board of Equalization, D'Hanis Lions Club, St. Joseph's Society for Holy Cross Church, and was a D'Hanis ISD school board member. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Amos and Fritz Bendele; and his sister, Mary Dee Tschirhart. Calvin is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary (Bures) Bendele of D'Hanis. He is also survived by his seven children, Shirley Fohn and husband, Nicholas of Uvalde; John Bendele and wife, Rosemary of D'Hanis; Dorothy Saunders and husband, Arnold of Devine; Ray Bendele and wife, Kathy of Kingsville; Gloria Kenney and husband, Wade of D'Hanis; James Bendele and wife, Pam of Uvalde; and Sharon Hardy and husband, Sam of Castroville; 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Rosary was recited Friday, Jan. 21, and Funeral Mass was at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery. Pallbearers were his granddaughters, Julie Mize, Jeana Cates, Jonet Fohn, Cassie Saunders-Martinez, Melissa Wyman, Katie Hughes, and Shelby McCasland. Casket bearers were his grandsons, Barry Fohn, Brandon Bendele, Chad Saunders, Clayton Saunders, Clint Bendele, Jacob Bendele, Curtis Kenney, Derrick Kenney, Cody Akeroyd, and Dalton Hardy.