Joann C. Sanders, age 81 of Charleston, IL died at her home in the comforting presence of her family on Friday, March 24, 2017. A Memorial Service honoring and celebrating her life held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston with Reverend Dr. Bob Swickard and Reverend Dustin Krantz officiating. A private inurnment in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in her honor be made to Lincolnland Hospice or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Joann was born October 13, 1935 in Olney, Illinois, one of seven girls born to the late Walter and Bernadine (Smith) Bostic. She married Claud “Bud” Sanders on May 28, 1955 in Charleston, IL and they have shared 61 loving years of marriage and friendship.

In addition to her loving and devoted husband Bud, Joann is survived by her five children, Jeff Sanders and wife Lisa of Portland, OR, Teri Luecke and husband Mark and Susan Krantz and husband David, all of Newburgh, IN, Joe Sanders and wife Sandy of Terre Haute, IN and John Sanders and wife Lisa of Owens Cross Roads, AL; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and was anticipating the arrival of two new additions. Joann is also survived by two sisters, Marilyn Brown of Effingham, IL and Sandra (Willis) Berger of Dade City, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to her parents she was preceded by four sisters, Betty Patterson, Patricia Wagner, Edith Aldridge and Katherine Rogers.

Joann was a graduate of Olney High School where she was honored as Homecoming Queen. She furthered her education at Eastern Illinois University attaining a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston where she was involved with the Stephen Ministry.

Joann volunteered her time with the Tarble Arts Center on the E.I.U. campus, enjoyed playing bridge and the search for a good bargain. Family vacations to Colorado always nurtured wonderful memories and she looked forward to attending the Chautauqua Institution in New York each year with Bud and other family members. Joann’s pleasant demeanor was accompanied by her warm and endearing smile and she will always be fondly and lovingly remembered by her family and friends.

Journal Gazette & Times Courier (IL) - March 27, 2017