Gilbert 'Rink' Simms Fender, 86, husband of Sarette Flake Fender, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2009.  The relatives and friends of Gilbert 'Rink' Fender are invited to attend his Funeral Service on Sunday, December 27, 2009 in J. HENRY STUHR, MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL, at 3:00 p.m.  Burial will be private.  The family will receive friends in the Mount Pleasant Chapel one hour prior to the service.

Fender was born March 20, 1923, in Earhardt, South Carolina, son of the late Marion Simms Fender and Pearl Victoria Baker Fender.  He graduated from Earhardt High School, and had a life long interest in flying and by age 18 was the youngest instructor pilot in the state of South Carolina.  He began working with his brother in the dairy business in his teens.  During World War II, Mr. Fender trained Army, Army-Air Corps and French Pilots.  He was retired as the Building Inspector for North Charleston and owned Fender Construction Company.  In addition he was the Acting Building Official for North Charleston.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Sarette Fender of Mt. Pleasant, SC; daughters, Rebekah Ann Weigand of Charleston, SC and Vicki Whitehead of James Island, SC; step-children, Randall F. Roberts of Summerville, SC, Sheryl R. Bidwell of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Russell A. Roberts of Annapolis, MD and James M. Roberts of North Charleston, SC; one sister, Kathleen Fender Hyer of James island, SC and ten step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.

The family requests memorials be made to East Cooper Habitat for Humanity, 1558 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 or East Cooper Community Outreach, 1145 Six Mile Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466.
Memorial messages may be written to the family by www.jhenrystuhr.com.