Dr. Frank Sanders Jr., 88, of 1948 Dausha Court, Warsaw, died at 9:27 a.m. Jan. 4, 2008, at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
He was born Aug. 3, 1919, in Claypool, to Frank and Willodean Whittenberger Sanders. On July 12, 1941, he married Betty Parker, Silver Lake, who survives.
He was a 1937 Claypool High School graduate and a 1941 Manchester College graduate. He received his master's degree from Indiana University in 1959, and his doctorate in education from Indiana University in 1966.
He was a teacher and coach at Milford High School, Burket High School and Warsaw High School. At WHS, he was the head football, baseball and junior high basketball coach. He was a principal at Warsaw Junior High School, and was the business manager at Warsaw City Schools; Vigo County Schools, Terre Haute; and Hammond City Schools, and also served as superintendent of schools for Hammond City Schools.
He held other various employments in and around Warsaw, including serving as the first Warsaw City summer recreation director; started Little League 1947-48; Soap Box Derby, 1949-50; and Pony League and Girls Softball, 1949-50. His other interests included basketball (23 years) and football officiating, working all over the state. Before class basketball, he worked the Final Four in 1959 and 1960.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and was commissioned as Ensign in 1943. He served in anti-submarine warfare aboard the USS Haines (Destroyer Escort 792), receiving service area ribbons and stars for duty in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. He retired in 1946 as full lieutenant.
He was a member of Lions International, Hammond Central Club for 15 years, and Warsaw Evening Club from 1984 to present.
He received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Gov. Orr for service to education. He was recognized by the Indiana High School Athletic Association for officiating basketball state finals. He was a life member to the National PTA for service to education. He volunteered for the United Way, Hammond, at Purdue/Calumet training program and vocational education, Hammond Vocational School, and Ivy Tech coordination where an area of the building was dedicated and named for him.
Also surviving are a son, Tom (and spouse Joanne) Sanders, Lafayette; a daughter, Sandra (and spouse Hal) Gunter, Claypool; six grandchildren: Gretchen Gunter (and spouse Josh) Bailey, Winona Lake; Gwen Gunter (and spouse Nathan) Fuller, Laguna Hills, Calif.; Colleen Sanders (and spouse Ryan) Mennel and Joseph Sanders, both of Phoenix, Ariz.; Bridget Sanders, Indianapolis; Stephen Sanders, Columbus, Ind.; and three great-grandsons: Kellan Bailey and Jameson and Keegan Mennel. He was preceded in death by an infant son, his parents, and a sister, Loann Schlemmer.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Trinity United Methodist Church, Warsaw, with the Rev. Andy Martin officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake.
Calling is two hours prior to services Monday at the church.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials to Trinity United Methodist Church Endowment Trust Fund, 832 E. Center St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Condolences may be sent to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
