Donald W. Sanders' Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Donald Wayne Sanders, age 90 of Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Avenue in Charleston, Illinois with Father John Titus presiding. Burial, with Military Services conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, will follow in Roselawn Cemetery. The Rosary Prayer Vigil will begin at 4:00 p.m. today (Friday) at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston with Visitation for family and friends to follow until 6:00 p.m. Memorials in his honor may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church or to the Newman Catholic Center. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the Visitation or Mass or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Don was born May 23, 1921 in Mattoon, Illinois, a son of the late Thomas and Edith (Redman) Sanders. He married Rosanne Bryce on November 20, 1976 in Charleston and they recently celebrated their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. He leaves his loving wife and best friend, Dr. Rosanne (Bryce) Sanders; four children, Donna Rebelsky, Diane Brooks and husband Tim and Durwin Sanders and wife Marge, all of Mattoon and Drusilla Brandon and husband Anthony of Danville, Illinois; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three brothers, Leon ""Tubb"" Sanders, Forrest Sanders and wife Frances, Robert Sanders and wife Joanne, all of Mattoon; three sisters-in-law, Patsy Sanders of Mattoon, Phyllis Brandt and husband Charles of Dallas, Texas, Rita Burns of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a daughter, Doris Lloyd; two brothers, Thomas Sanders and Dennis Sanders; two sisters, Carol Hayes and Faye Sanders; and two grandchildren, Matthew Rebelsky and Michael Sanders Gordon.Don was a faithful member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Charleston. He was also a life member of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592 and a member of the American Legion Post #88 in Mattoon. In November of 1942 Don was inducted into the United States Army and bravely served his country during World War II with the 43rd Infantry. He was in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the Philippines, and following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki he was stationed in Japan as a part of the occupational forces. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945 and was the recipient of several awards including four Bronze Battle Stars and a Purple Heart. Don worked as a concrete finisher for many years in the Mattoon and Charleston areas and was a member of the Plasterers and Cement Masons Union Local #143. A large portion of his career was spent as a superintendent at the Charleston Farrier plant. He later was employed by the Maintenance Department at Eastern Illinois University prior to his retirement in 1991. Following his retirement, Don discovered he had an interest in woodworking and his skill was evident as he began handcrafting such items as dressers, tables and chairs. Don was a devoted husband and he and Rosanne enjoyed a loving relationship which complimented one another. He recognized the importance of family and as a result of his love and devotion for his children and grandchildren they were always well provided for and they knew they could rely on him when needed. Don was a man of integrity and his family and many friends will cherish their many fond memories.Click to view Don's memorial video.
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