Merret B. Sanders

Catlin- Merret B. Sanders, 90, of Catlin passed away on April 13, 2014 at Presence Covenant in Urbana. He was born on June 25, 1923 in Keenes, IL to Ray and Zelma Sanders. He married Frances R. Logan on June 12, 1949 in rural Louisville, IL. She preceded him in death on August 13, 2012. Surviving are a son, Kenneth (Dianne) Sanders of Catlin; a daughter, Elaine (Greg) Newton of Ft. Worth, TX; a brother, Morris Sanders of Peoria, IL; and four grandchildren, Sarah (Andrew) Day, Bradley (Britni) Chrostowski, and Brett Sanders, all of Texas, and Kristen (Mike) Strunga of Catlin. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Leona Norton. Merret graduated from Wayne City High School in 1941 and attended Rankin Trade School in St. Louis. He enlisted in the USMC, serving on Engibe on the Eniwetok atoll, Ie Shima, Okinawa and Japan as part of the occupation force of Japan. After the War, he attended the University of Illinois, where he received a bachelors degree in Agricultural Engineering. Merret worked for Oliver Farm Equipment in Shelbyville, IL in engineering and tool design. In 1970 he began working for Hyster Co. in Danville, IL as a tool designer and later as a design engineer, retiring in 1990. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Danville, IL. A service to celebrate the life of Merret Sanders will be held at 10 AM on Friday, April 18, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Danville. Pastor Paul Rebert will officiate. Committal will follow at Danville National Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, April 17 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Danville. Please join Merrets family in sharing memories and photos of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.