Thomas Sanders

Thomas “Colonel” Sanders, age 79 of Stanton, passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2018, in Grand Rapids at Spectrum Health Butterworth.

As an elementary school teacher at the Central Montcalm Sheridan Elementary, Tom impacted the lives of countless students throughout his career, but for Tom, teaching wasn’t just a job, it was his life’s calling. He worked with kids and taught them things about life, about working hard, and how to be a good person. Tom also enjoyed life, had a great sense of humor, and liked to have fun. He enjoyed traveling, was a bird watching fanatic and an avid golfer. Tom will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

Surviving Tom is his wife, JoAnne Sanders of Stanton; daughter, Henrietta (Nathaniel) DuBreuil of Paris; sons, Tommy (Anita) Sanders, Jr. of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; Levi Sanders (Patthanit Uttha) of Holland; Dan (Julie) Sanders of Beal City; Tony (Katie) Sanders of Stanton; Ted Sanders of Portland; Jason (Jing) Sanders of Christiansburg, Virginia; step-daughter, Tara (Justin) Hayward of Big Rapids; step-son, Robert Jaikowski of Stanton; brothers, Harold Sanders of Tennessee; Charles (Shar) Sanders of Virginia; multiple grandchildren; several great grandchildren; business partner and close friend, Ed Blackmer; good friend, Angie Favel, and his long time golf partner, Greg Brooks.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy & Lillian (Detwiler) Sanders; one brother, John Sanders, and several cousins.

Tom’s family would like to invite everyone to a celebration of his life on Friday, November 2, 2018, from 4-8 PM at the Simpson Family Funeral Home in Stanton (225 W. Cedar Street), where you are free to come and go as your schedule allows.

For those wanting to make a memorial donation the family is establishing the Tom Sanders Educational Fund; to help purchase supplies for teachers at Central Montcalm. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.