Lester Sanders

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Lester L. Sanders was born June 21, 1925 in Stella, Missouri, the son of Archie E. and Mary (Hopkins) Sanders. He entered into rest on April 11, 2018 in Neosho, following a short illness. 

 Lester was a lifelong area resident and served his country in the U.S. Navy, July 13, 1944 – April 2, 1946. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the area and had worked at Eagle Picher in addition to raising cattle on his farm. Lester enjoyed rabbit hunting, bowling, playing croquet, harvesting black walnuts that he shared generously. He was always reaching out to help others. Lester was baptized at the age of 29 at Indian Creek in Boulder City. 

 He was married to Doris Utter Sanders from 1944 to 1985, they lived on the farm in Stella where their raised their five children; she preceded him in death in 2014. He is survived by their five children, Freda Rogers and husband, Larry of Neosho; Patricia Williamson of Naples, FL; Sarah Moore and husband, Dennis of St. Louis; Calvin Sanders of Stella and Brenda Krietels and husband, Wayne of Nebraska City, NE; two brothers, Wesley Sanders of Silsbee, TX and Jerry Sanders of Granby; two sisters, Avanell Tipton of Neosho and Christine Dunbar of Seneca; eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Lester is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Kenny, Howard and James Sanders, two sisters, Anna Mae and Juanita; his stepmother and his companion of 32 years, Jean White.

Services will be Monday, April 16, 2018 at 10 am at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, Dr. Jerry Seigel will officiate. Interment will follow in the Union Cemetery and family members will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends Monday morning prior to the service from 9:30 until service time.

Contributions in memory of Lester may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.