Earl Wilbur Sanders, Sr., age 79, of Brumley, MO, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024, in Crown Point, IN.  He was born in Marion, Illinois, on July 13, 1945, son of the late Lillie Davie and her husband Leonard.  In 1975, he was united in marriage to Carol Claudette Cooksey, who preceded him in death on February 1, 2009.

Earl honorably served in the U.S. Army and Air Force during the Vietnam War, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.  At a mere 19 years old, he was deployed to Germany with the Army.  During this time, his first son, John, was born.  Only surviving 19 days, he was returned to America and laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.  Earl then re-enlisted with the Air Force.  He worked as an airplane mechanic, returning home to the United States in 1968.

Earl's passion in life was to share his love for the Lord with anyone who would listen.  He was quick with humor and had a Bible verse memorized for any situation. There were few things that he couldn't repair, whether it be a mower, a vehicle, or anything else with a motor.  Sometimes it was his own stuff, sometimes a neighbor's, sometimes a stranger's.

His family came second, only to God.  He loved his boys and helped them beat some of their toughest battles through prayer.  His legacy will live on with the assurance that by sharing his faith, they will all be reunited in God's time.  His family finds comfort in knowing that he is now with the Lord whom he served so faithfully, for so many years.

He is survived by his sons, Earl (Melinda) Sanders, Jr, and Chris (Kellie) Sanders; his grandchildren, Jake, Michael, Tyler, Abigayle and Cayden Sanders, and Miles and Faye McCormick; and two great-grandchildren, Amelia and Oliver Sanders.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son, John Sanders and one brother Jake Sanders.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a short service immediately following, on Saturday, August 17, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia.   Interment with military honors will be held on Monday, August 19, at 11:30 a.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

In lieu of flowers, please consider tithing to a church or donating to a charity of your choice.  Flowers die, but Earl lives on with his Creator.