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BORN
1945
DIED
2020
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Eugene Sanders Obituary
BARTONVILLE - Eugene (Gene) M. Sanders was lost to those who loved him on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Gene was a brother, husband, dad, grandpa, friend of many, electrician and volunteer extraordinaire. He was born to Archie R. and Mary O. (Broadstone) Sanders on December 27, 1945 in Bartonville, Illinois, where he attended and graduated from Bartonville Grade School and Limestone Community High School (1963). He was active in Boy Scouts and earned rank of Eagle Scout. It was at Limestone where he met the love of his life, Diana (Bunny) Sanders (Sudbrink), who survives. They just celebrated 54 years of marriage on December 3. Gene was an electrician, with IBEW Local 34, as well as, Local 51. Gene retired from Ameren in 2008.
Gene was a proud father of his four children, Mary Sanders, Gene K. (Angela) Sanders, Lori (Steve) Ward, and Kim Sanders (Chris Pula). He was also a loving grandfather to Tyler (McKenna) Ward, Samantha Ward (Josh Hoffman), Katelyn and Carter Sanders, and Josie and Nora Pula.
Gene is survived by his two brothers Bert (Pauline) Sanders and Don (Barb) Sanders including many nieces and nephews.
In his free time, Gene enjoyed watching any event his grandchildren were participating in, volunteering at Wildlife Prairie Park, gathering with friends and family, and taking trips with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Archie R. Sanders and Cyrus D. Sanders, and in-laws Karl and Evelyn Sudbrink.
Gene's legacy of being a generous host and his boisterous voice and laugh will be remembered by all.
A celebration of his magnificent life will occur as soon as we can safely join together.
A private family service will be at Davidson-Fulton Bartonville Chapel on Friday, December 18th at 11:00 am followed with burial at Swan Memory Garden. Live stream option will be available on the funeral home website.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to The Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Sanders
Sponsored by Davison-Fulton/Bartonville Chapel.
Cindy Pollock
December 18, 2020
Words cannot express how sorry I am to hear about Big Gene. He was a wonderful person with a big heart. Will never forget his smile & his laughter. You all have been my 2nd family and I love you all. RIP Big Gene
Cindy & Rich Pollock
Penny Lane
December 18, 2020
My heart and prayers go out to the Sanders family. Please know that we are thinking about you all during this difficult time. We love you guys so much and are absolutely devastated by Big Gene's passing.
Big Gene and Bunny were like my second family. My Dad and Big Gene would sit on the driveway and drink beer while us kids played kick the can and ran the neighborhood. The Sanders have always been like a second family to me and my brother. We couldn't have asked for a better childhood because of them. I will never forget Big Gene's, contagious laugh and his big heart. May the memories that you all have give you comfort during this time. Take care of each other and know we are here for you.
I love you all.
Love always,
Penny, Dave, Brett and Kaylee
Ronald Lane
December 18, 2020
Gene was the best neighbor to live next door to. We had a lot of good times in our front yards. He always laughed how we could get in trouble and never leave the yard. I think we may have gotten others in trouble also. My heart goes out to my other family the Sanders. RIP big Gene.
December 18, 2020
Bunny, Mary, Lori, Gene and Kim,
There are no words to express how deeply saddened we all are over Big Gene's passing. Our heart and prayers go out to each one of you. Living next door to all of you over the years was a true blessing, it was the best childhood anyone could ever ask for. Big Gene and Bunny were like my second parents and treated me and my brother as one of their own. I will forever remember Big Gene and my Dad drinking beer on the driveway while us kids played kick the can and ran the neighborhood. May all of your memories find you comfort during this difficult time and know that we love you all very much. Rest in peace, Big Gene.
Love always,
Penny/Dave, Chris/Wendy, Ron/Sue, Cindy/Rich and all of the kids
Linda 'Kaye' (Bazhenow) Walsh
December 18, 2020
To the entire Sanders Family... I was saddened and shocked to hear about Gene's passing. Each of you has my sincerest sympathy and prayers. I am praying that your many years loving memories of him will, over time, give you comfort. I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
Jeff Chiaravalle
December 17, 2020
Grew up directly across the street from the Sanders. Great family. Will always remember Big Gene drinking in the driveway with the other neighbors talking and telling stories with that big boisterous laugh. Really Sorry to hear. Stay Strong Bunny, Mary, Gene, Lori and Kim. RIP Big Gene
Dianna Carothers
December 16, 2020
Gene always had a smile and kind words to share with other volunteers at Wildlife Prairie Park. We will all miss him.
Donald Sanders
December 16, 2020
Rest in Peace Brother - Rest in Peace
Sonny & Janet Jordan
December 16, 2020
We were so sorry to hear of Gene's passing. We have great memories of fun times when Mary played for the Melton Electric team. What a special family, and Gene was always a happy, fun-loving guy!
Norman P Birchler
December 16, 2020
To Diana and Gene's family,
Please accept my condolences at this time of Gene's passing. May God fill your hearts with all the good times and memories that he shared with you. Knowing Gene, I'm sure there are many. He was a year younger than me and in my brother, Leo's, class all through grade school and high school. We were all in the Boy Scout Troop 224 in Bartonville and had many fun times in our scouting activities and summer camps at Camp Wokanda. He was always very pleasant and fun to be around. He was one of the "A, B, C, D, E" kids of his parents (Archie, Bert, Cyrus, Don, Eugene). It would have been interesting what his parents would have named the other kids if they would have had 26 kids.
Norman Birchler
Lacon, IL
Eva Kirschbaum
December 16, 2020
Gene was always the first volunteer at WPP to put on a pot of coffee every Tuesday and Thursday. I would greet him with a "Hiiiiiii Geeeeeene!" on those mornings. He will be missed dearly.
Tom O’Neill
December 15, 2020
Gene was one of the best guys that I was able to workaround and with. He had the biggest heart and would help anyone that needed it. Always remember him, he will be able to have beers with many of his friends that we knew from Walt’s Tavern. RIP my friend ❤
Mike Everett
December 15, 2020
I was blessed to know and work with Gene when I was a first year apprentice electrician in the early 1970’s. Journeymen like Gene taught me a trade that provided for my family for 45 years and counting.
It was my pleasure to get reacquainted with Gene when I began my involvement with Wildlife Prairie Park where Gene was a volunteer for more years than I can recall. Gene was a tremendous man and an important part of my personal story. God bless his soul, and his family and friends during this difficult time.
Brian Sanders
December 15, 2020
I'm going to miss you Uncle Gene
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