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Gerald Sauder Obituary
ROANOKE - Gerald D. "Jerry" Sauder, 87, of Roanoke passed away at 8:21 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2014, at the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke.
He was born on Oct. 5, 1926, in Roanoke to Frank D. and Dora Mae Raub Sauder. He married Ann M. Blunier on Oct. 10, 1948, in Roanoke. She passed away on March 10, 2002.
Surviving are two daughters, Cheryl (Fred) Janssen of Roanoke and Jill (Rick) Wilhelm of Vienna, Va; two sons, Jeff (Jodie) Sauder and Greg "Skip" (Jaime) Sauder, both of Roanoke; one sister, Mary Schwind of Roanoke; 12 grandchildren, Troy (Jen), Craig (Laura) and Brett Janssen, Wade, Taylor, Macie and Paige Sauder, Samantha and Alexandria Sauder and Tate, Tess and Reed Wilhelm; and three great-grandchildren, Tucker, Reese and Reagan Janssen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Marilyn; two brothers, Donald and Howard Sauder; and two sisters, Mae Kae Hodel and Myra Leman.
A U.S. Army veteran, Jerry served his country during World War II. After returning home from the war, Jerry began his career in the family business in Roanoke. He worked and was part owner of Sauder Furniture in Roanoke for a span of more than 60 years. During this time, he was fortunate to have worked with his father, brothers, sons, daughter, nephews, nieces and grandsons.
He had served on the Village of Roanoke zoning board and the Roanoke Park District board for many years.
He was a member of the Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church, where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at 10 a.m. Church ministers will officiate. Visitation will be held today from 3 to 7 p.m. at Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home in Roanoke and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Roanoke Park District or to the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnsonharris.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Sauder
Bob & Jill Gangloff
July 15, 2014
Dear Skip and family,
Your Dad was a special man who was always kind and helpful.
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you during this time of parting.
July 15, 2014
To Jerry's Family,
Sending my thoughts to all of you ~ take comfort that he is now reunited with his dear Ann. Over the years I have often shopped in the furniture store and always greeted with such friendliness by Jerry and all of you.
May the years of shared precious memories comfort all of you.
May the Lord be with you during your time of sorrow.
Carol Zimmerman Turner
JoAnne Adair
July 14, 2014
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jerry. I'm so sorry for your loss. He was such a kind, thoughtful and a genuine caring person. He will be greatly missed. I am a better person for having known such a wonderful man. We should all strive to be the kind of person that he was. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Dick Gentry
July 14, 2014
Marla & I, along with everyone at Wesco Fabrics, is saddened by your loss! It is rare to experience someone so kind & genuine in business and in life. I will always remember his phone calls after Christmas. We talked about family, the past year, and remembrances of the past. I am proud and very happy to have known him. All the best to you & your family!
Betty Bertolo
July 14, 2014
Our sympathy in the loss of your loved one. Jerry always had a smile when he greeted you at the store and when he saw you around town.
The Bertolo Family
Richard Schroen
July 14, 2014
Shocked when I saw this. So sorry about your loss, but he is finally "home". It always amazed me that even though I did not shop there that frequently, everyone knew who I was when I walked in the door. You are in my prayers.
Don and Peg Heinold
July 13, 2014
Cheri, Skip and Jeff, We want to extend our love and deepest sympathy to you at this time. Your dad was such a dear man and I loved talking to him because he would always relate stories of things my dad had done and how much fun they had together. I am so sorry we will not be able to be at the visitation. We will be babysitting our two youngest grandchildren for the week. May God hold you in His loving arms and may the thoughts and prayers of all of us who love you be a comfort to you at this time.
lynn crawford
July 13, 2014
So sorry to hear about your dad. We are on vacation and won't be able to come to the visitation or funeral. U are in our thoughts and prayers. Lynn, Steve Crawford & family
Marc and Steph Rieke
July 13, 2014
So sorry for your loss. We are on vacation so cant make it but we are praying for all of you!
Jim Koehler
July 13, 2014
A very good, decent, friendly, helpful man. And the best competitor I ever had in the furniture business. A wonderful family. R.I.P.
Lew Sauder
July 13, 2014
Jerry and my dad were cousins and best friends growing up. I always loved going to the store and talking with Jerry. I felt like I was talking to my own dad again. Jerry will be greatly missed. My love and condolences to the entire family.
Linda Birkey
July 13, 2014
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Jerry was a good man. Friendly to everyone. What amazed me is how he remembered people's name by their face. He would always say hi and call me by name. He will be greatly missed.
July 13, 2014
Dear Sherry and family, We are so sorry to hear of Jerry's death. He was such an amazing , wonderful man! We loved him! We still think of him often....Love, Linda McConkey Banich
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Knapp Johnson Harris Funeral Home204 West Husseman Street, Roanoke, IL 61561
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