obituaries

Richard Sanders

Godfrey |

Richard R. Sanders, 80, passed away at 8:08 p.m. on Monday, August 20, 2018 at his home with his family by his side.

A native of Litchfield, Illinois, he was born January 9, 1938 in White Hall, Illinois to Helen (Sturdy) and Walter Sanders.

He is survived by his wife Mary Kay Sanders, three sons, Bradley (Debra) Sanders of Bunker Hill, Michael (Jeanne) Sanders of Belleville, Chad (Missi) Sanders of Moro, two stepchildren, Kyle (Tali) Burress of Alexandria, VA, and Heather (Just) Burress of Burbank, California. He has seven grandchildren, Rachel (Chris) Hammon, Jeremy Sanders, Amanda (Ryan) Holland, Samantha Sanders, Chance Sanders, Aubrie Burress, and Asher Burress, as well as four great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother, John (Karen) Sanders, originally of Litchfield, Illinois.

He spent 46 years in education, first in Edwardsville District 7 for 13 years as a math teacher, coach, and administrator. He then worked for 22 years in Wood River-Hartford District 15 as Curriculum Coordinator and principal. Following his retirement, he joined the office of the Madison County Regional Superintendent, coordinating the Administrator Academy program.

During retirement he enjoyed over 25 years as a snowbird living in Punta Gorda, Florida and for twelve of those years he also resided in Golden Eagle, Illinois, serving as a self-appointed 'Mayor of Winneberg'.

He was named a 'Man of the Year' in 1969 in Edwardsville, included in 'Outstanding Young Men of America' in 1970, and in 1972 was part of a Rotary District 646 Group Study Team to Australia, an experience which profoundly influenced him. He was a Rotary member for 25 years in the Edwardsville and Wood River clubs, the latter of which named him a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of the Upper Alton Baptist Church in Alton.

He enjoyed living on the water, whether on a lake, by the Gulf, or above the river. He loved traveling and felt fortunate to have visited many wonderful destinations throughout the world. He loved his family, his incredibly vast network of friends (who were to him an extended family), and always reveled in organizing the next 'get-together' or trip.

Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. followed by a celebratory service at 11:00 a.m. on October 13th at Upper Alton Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

An online guestbook may be found online at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com


Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home

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