Verl Ardith Sanderson

Verl Ardith Sanderson Kalamazoo Verl died, at age 90, on September 25, 2008, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo with her family present. She was born to Lilly Belle and Clare Smith in Hart, MI on January 3, 1918. Upon her mother's death when she was four years old, she was adopted by her paternal Aunt and Uncle, Lawrence and Grace Mason. They moved to Beaver, PA and returned to reside in Kalamazoo where Verl started school. Also preceding her in death were her husband, Wayne, in l987, after 47 years of marriage; siblings, Kathleen, Lawrence Edward, Lamont; sisters-in-law, Lola and Ginny; brother-in-law, William Snyder; son-in-law, N. Wayne Kimble; and granddaughter-in-law, Paula Kimble. Surviving are her 4 children, Karen Kimble of Manistee and her friend, Jim Lent, Keith (Mary Kilchenstein) Sanderson of Maryland, Ardith (Bill) Richards of Albion, and LouAnne Dunham of Florida; 9 grandchildren, Scott, Kevin (Erica), and Josh Kimble, Peter (Brianna) and David Sanderson-Kilchenstein, Megan and Solomon (Sheila) Richards, and Karen Anne (Rich) Ward and Aaron (Deb) Dunham; 7 great-grandchildren, AJ and Charlot Dunham, Logan Ward, JenniferMegan and SylviaJoyce Richards, Jordon Gilg and Jaden Delapas; and siblings and in-laws, Mary Alice (Larry) Glover, Donna Snyder (Bill d.), Marilyn (Larry d.) Smith, Roger (Lola d.) Smith, Mary E. (Lamont d.) Smith and Brad (Ginny d.) Smith. Verl was a graduate of Western State Teacher's College and began her teaching career in Home Economics in Climax, MI. She was very creative in her teaching, starting the first hot lunch program, which was prepared by students, taught canning as a homemaking skill, never lacking for produce to can as much was donated by the students' families. She tells some humorous and interesting stories of this career. As Verl focused on motherhood, she still gave much time to helping others as she was very giving in spirit and deed. She made loans to her children, loaned a car to a needy family, and worked tirelessly through the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo to assist the migrant population. Her church affiliation with First Baptist Church had spanned a lifetime; at the time of her death, she was one of two living members with the longest membership. She excelled in gardening, knitting afghans and her infamous scrubbies. For the Christmas season, she made pounds and pounds of candies and cookies to give to friends. Later in life she worked in the dental office of Dr. William Spencer D.D.S., as an assistant, and then in the office of G.N. Sanderson Electric Company, the family business. Sadly, in her very latest years, the effects of several strokes denied her the use of her hands for her many craft interests. The family gratefully acknowledges the loving care of Jackie and Shirley for the past 9 months. Funeral services for Verl will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 315 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, with co-officiants the Rev. Dr. MaryBeth Sarhatt and the Rev. Chalmer Mastin. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park, Kalamazoo. Verl's expressed choice for memorials is Housing Resources, Inc. (for the Eleanor Street House, shelter), 345 N. Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI. Condolences may be mailed to Ardith Richards, 18111 28 Mile Road, Albion, MI 49224. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, Kalamazoo. Online condolences may be left at www.langelands.com