Richard Michael Sanders

I found Michael's diploma a few weeks ago, the one that says, Master of Letters from the Oxford Graduate School in Tennessee. I had to look it up, what the degree meant. It meant he took classes in research. I wasn't surprised. A more humble, wise and joyful man I've never known. This, plus his Master of Divinity, and Doctorate in Philosophy are but a snapshot of the man.

Rev. Dr. R. Michael Sanders, originally from Mt. Vernon, IL passed away November 12, 2025 at the age of 75. A compassionate and joyful man, he had the ability to lift the Spirit of a room within minutes. He loved to listen to people and could engage in conversation whether in a grocery store or in the airport bar, sipping soda and waiting for a plane. Truly, this man exhibited the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Michael viewed many of the people and things in his life as gifts from God, and had a deep gratitude for even the smallest of gestures (and no, brownies and pecan pie were not considered small gestures).

Michael led many churches of several denominations in his 52 years of Preaching. He was serving the Topinabee Community Church in Northern Michigan when he met and married Katherine Jameson, whom he married outside on a snowy hill behind the Church in January, 2005. Together they served churches, earning respect and gratitude of the people he met. Michael and Kathy were sent to Wisconsin to be evaluated as Church Planters by the American Baptists. Sadly, the opportunity to serve in this capacity never materialized, but Michael loved to tell how he passed the evaluations even though he didn't "fit the mold" as he was older than the usual candidate!

Michael's love of writing was shared with others through daily devotions he sent out for over twenty years. He was published by Abingdon Press, several Newspapers, and self-published three books of devotions. He wrote for the Wittenberg Door (the Mad Magazine for Christianity in the day) and met and interviewed Calvin Miller while working there - a memory he cherished. His love of writing included poetry and science fiction, and opened doors to teach youth at Author Quest, a camp for aspiring writers.

Michael always looked forward to trips back to Southern Illinois to visit, eat, and play Trivial Pursuit with family. Anyone knowing him in the final years of Primary Progressive Aphasia heard endless stories about his mother, Patsy and father, Richard. His three children, Rachel, Michael John, and Anna, grandchildren, Ryker, Garrett, Bailey, Lexi, and Ian, sisters Carol (Dale) and Amy (Glenn), nieces and nephews reside in other states, but were never far from his heart.

A celebratory service will be held at the Main Street Church, 320 N. Main Street, Chelsea, MI. Friday, December 5, 2:15pm.

Donations should be made to your home Church, The Promise FM (Northern Michigan radio) or Arbor Hospice.

And please, to honor Michael's life, hang an extra string of lights this Christmas and share some cookies with an acquaintance. And, of course,
Have faith. It all comes right.