Rick Sanders

SANDERS Rick Sanders, 50, of Baltimore, Ohio, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Fairfield Medical Center. He was a retired Sergeant for the Fairfield County Sheriff Department with 30 years of service, current Captain on the Thornville Police Department and employed at The Columbus Dispatch in the security division. He was a graduate of Liberty Union High School Class of 1980 and graduate with a Police College Degree from Hocking College. Rick was a member of the Lancaster F. O. P. A., social member of the Baltimore VFW Post #3761 and was involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Melissa "Missy" Sanders; children, Jessi (Scott) Stimmell of Lancaster, Ohio and Chris (fiancé, Samantha Nafzger) Sanders of Baltimore, Ohio; granddaughter, Allisyn "Alli-gator" Stimmell; brothers, Harold Sanders of Canal Winchester, Ohio, Roger (Pam) Sanders of Thurston, Ohio and Larry (Liz) Sanders of Millersport, Ohio; sister, Debbie (Sandy) Wright of Millersport, Ohio; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary Lou and Jesse Downhour of Lancaster, Ohio; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kurt and Dannette Downhour and Kip and Tammy Downhour, all of Sugar Grove, Ohio; close friends, Rick and Melissa May of Baltimore, Ohio, Darrell Ball of Stoutsville, Ohio and Scott and Karen Schermerhorn of Florida; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Erma Sanders, sister-in-law Alice Sanders and nephew Doug Sanders. Funeral service will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in the JOHNSON-SMITH FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, 207 S. MAIN ST., BALTIMORE, OHIO 43105 with Pastor Jerry Eaton officiating. Burial to follow in Union Evangelical Cemetery. Friends may visit Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be given to the family for a college fund for the grandchildren, Pa Paw would want it that way. To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.