Donald G. Sanders

Donald G. Sanders, 76, of Pomona, had his homecoming with the Lord on Monday, January 22, 2018 He passed over at his home surrounded with love and family. Don was born on November 19, 1941, in Thayer, Missouri, to Harvey and Ethel (White) Sanders. He grew up in Murphysboro, and graduated Murphysboro High School in 1960. He spent the remaining of his life in Pomona, Illinois. On December 17, 1963, Donald married Emma Ellis, his loving wife of fifty-four years, and she survives. They had four daughters Shelia (Danny Luckinbill) Mason of Murphysboro, Angie (Steve) Allison of Pomona, Donna (Eric Meade) Sanders of Murphysboro, and Tammy Sanders of Carbondale. He had five grandchildren David (Tara) Mason, Jamie (Chris) Foreman, Sierra Sanders, Josh (Jessica) Mason, and Aiden Sanders; and four great grandchildren Jaylen and Regan Mason and Christian and Addison Foreman. Don is survived by all of the above, as well as his brothers and sisters Claude, Ruby Baker, Iva Wasserman, Gene and Harvey Sanders, and many special family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Ralph and Roy, and an infant son Douglas Scott Sanders. Don was employed through the years as a construction worker, farmer, and saw mill worker. He was a man of faith and had a strong and loving relationship with his Lord and Savior. He was a man of integrity and strength, and placed high value on the importance of family. He loved his family, his land and all that it provided. His many interests and passions included studying God's word, gardening, honey bees, raising birds, root growing, spending time with his wife and his dog Buddy, and walking with the family to the cabin and hunting. He, especially, enjoyed his hunting trips with his granddaughter Sierra. Don believed "we should all bloom where we are planted. If you are a rose planted in a bunch of thorns, God will be your inner peace, so you can bloom. Peace comes from the inside; and if you love yourself, you will have the strength to face each day. Our purpose here is to glorify God--be strong and of good courage. His formula for life is like a successful garden. If you want beans, plant beans. If you want potatoes, plant potatoes. If you want love, plant love. If you want kindness, plant kindness." He was very loved and will be missed! Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 25, 2018, at Pettett Funeral Home and his body will be cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his wife, Emma Sanders. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Donald G. Sanders

November 19, 1941 - January 22, 2018