Joseph Sauder

1929 - 2018

Joseph Paul Sauder, born April 7, 1929, died peacefully in his home at Menno Haven in Chambersburg, PA on July 16, 2018, with his wife of nearly 68 years, Geneva Dasher Sauder, at his side. He was born in New Holland, Pennsylvania, to J. Paul and Alice (Shenk) Sauder. When he was five, his parents became Mennonite church planters in Tampa, FL, and he spent his childhood there. He moved to Virginia at the age of 13 and graduated from Eastern Mennonite High School in Harrisonburg, VA. Shortly after high school, he moved to Maryland, where he met Geneva. They were married on July 29, 1950, and resided in Ellicott City, Maryland until 2017 when they moved to Menno Haven in Chambersburg. Joe was active for many years in the Mennonite Church, serving as deacon at Maple Grove Mennonite Church (later First Mennonite Church of Columbia and New Life Mennonite Church), and was a faithful and devout follower of Jesus. He was a devoted husband, and a loving father, grandfather, and uncle, as well as an honorary father figure to many. He loved astronomy, science fiction, fishing, and board games, and he delighted in a good (or even a bad) pun. He was an accomplished artist, and painted beautiful watercolors. He worked for most of his life in construction, as a carpenter, drywall installer, supervisor, and in maintenance with the Howard County (MD) Board of Education. In his retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife, and keeping in touch with his many friends. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Carol A. Sauder of Columbia, MD; David R. Sauder of Montreal, QC, Canada; Jerry L. Sauder and his wife Donna (Delp) Sauder of Columbus, OH, and C. Jeff Sauder and his wife Ann (Good) Sauder of Venice, FL; as well as by four grandchildren, Jonathan D. Sauder, Andrew M. Sauder, Sarah E. Sauder, and Rebekah J. Sauder, and by a sister, Anne Siegrist and her husband Donald, of Jasper, NY, and sisters-in-law Myrtle (Biller) Sauder of Laurel, DE and Marian (Dasher) Nazelrod of Clarksville, DE. He was preceded in death by his twin brother John, and by his brothers William and Donald. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Viewing and family visitation will be from 2:00 – 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 22 at Slack Funeral Home, 3871 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043, and a funeral service will be held on Monday, July 23 at 9:00 am at New Life Mennonite Church, 9580 Old Rte 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Please see www.slackfuneralhome.com for online condolences and directions.