Lawrence R. Sanders Sr., 87, of Beecher, formerly of Momence,passed away at HCA Citrus Memorial Hospital, Inverness, Florida,on Sunday, January 5, 2025, with his wife and children by his side.
Lawrence was born April 16, 1937, in Chicago, and graduated from Momence High School. While he didn’t have a college degree, he had many college credits. He was employed by Ameritech Phone Company, formerly Illinois Bell Telephone Co., for 40 years, beginning as a lineman, and retiring as outside plant engineer. He was a former weekend relief policeman for Beecher, and, when licensed in Real Estate, was employed by Premier Real Estate, Ltd., Beecher.
Lawrence was a gentle, non-confrontational man, who loved his family and his country. In 1958, he volunteered for the draft and served two years in the U.S. 5th Army, 18 months of which were spent in Berlin, Germany, as a member of the Occupational Forces. Upon discharge from the Army, he spent 20 years in the Active Reserves, retiring in December 1980, with the rank of Sargent First Class (E7).
Lawrence was an avid camper, he enjoyed square dancing, bowling, playing cards and table games, watching TV (especially game shows), and eating ice cream! He was actively involved in his church, community, and multiple organizations. He was a member of St. Luke United Church of Christ, Beecher, Illinois Elder, Past Council Trustee, and Past Council President.
Lawrence also was a member of: Deeke-Ohlendorf AMVETS Post #67, Beecher – Life Member, Past Commander, Vice Commander, and Finance Officer, Bylaws Committee chairperson; State of Illinois AMVETS – Past Commander, Junior and Senior Vice Commander, Provost Officer, and Past Finance Officer, plus was a current Service Foundation member; Berlin United States Military Association (BUSMA) Life Member; Beecher Chamber of Commerce Past President; Illinois Telephone Company Pioneers Life Member Club – Indian Trails Chapter, Past President and Treasurer; National Square Dance Campers (NSDCA) Past National Board of Directors Member – Past National Treasurer, National Vice President and Past Co-President.
Also, Illinois State NSDCA Association Past President, was current Illinois State Representative to National NSDCA; Illiana Square Wheelers Chapter #044 of NSDCA Square Dancing Club, Past President, was current Treasurer; Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), Illini Chapter, was current Chapter President, Past National Director and Past President of Beecher Sportsman’s Club; Past member of Kankakee Bowling Association Board of Directors and Kankakee High Noon Toastmasters Club.
He is survived by his loving wife, Cora Ruthann (Dexter) Sanders, whom he married on June 17, 1961. Other survivors include their children, Larina Sanders of Crete, and Lawrence Jr. (Sherry) Sanders of Cedar Lake, Indiana; grandchildren, Daniel Sanders, Heather (Jacob) Reynolds, and Lawrence III, who goes by the name of Lauren, all of Cedar Lake; great-granddaughters – Skylar Sanders of Cullom, and Brookelynn Reynolds of Cedar Lake; sisters-in-law, Betty Sanders of Bourbonnais, Jackie Dexter of Piper City, and Catherine (Louis) Mombrun of Wilmington;brothers-in-Law, Robert (Judy) Dexter of Momence, Ronald Dexter of Brownwood, Texas, and Thomas (Kathy) Dexter of Bourbonnais; 11 nieces and nephews; 18 great-nieces and nephews; and two great-great-nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Harry Charles and Emma Rose Sanders; two sisters, Virginia Sanders and Audrey Sanders, as well as his brother LeRoy Sanders, all of Momence; in addition to multiple aunts, uncles, and friends.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 16, at St. Luke United Church of Christ in Beecher, with burial following at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the AMVETS Post #67 Scholarship Fund or St. Luke Church. Hack-Jensen Funeral Home, Beecher, was in charge of arrangements