At the age of 88, Lester Thomas Sanders, who resided in Defiance, passed away at his residence on March 14, 2024. Lester Merle Sanders and Alta Mae (Goodenough) Sanders welcomed their son into the world on December 7, 1935, in the county of Defiance. He tied the knot with Carol Higbea, his partner in square dancing, on October 17, 1959. Carol Higbea is still alive today.
In 1952, Lester received his diploma from Defiance High School. Four years later, in 1956, he enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to Hawaii for a period of two years. After he returned to Defiance, he worked on the farm that his family owned, he found work at Johns-Manville, and he continued his military service for two more years in the reserves. After that, he worked for Dinner Bell for a number of years as a straight truck driver. Following the closure of Dinner Bell, he started working for Good Samaritan School as a school bus driver and cleaner until he retired. He also worked there until he retired. Because he had always had a soft spot for children and the chance to get to know the families of the students at the school, he took great pleasure in holding that job.
He took great pleasure in working his farm, which was situated on the banks of the Maumee River. On this farm, he and Carol organized a large number of wiener roasts and hayrides for many people, including family, friends, church groups, and children from the school. He made it a habit to always have a pot of ham and beans cooking over the fire in the family kitchen.
Spending time with family was always vital, whether it was in their homes, on a camping trip, a bike trip, a train trip, or exploring a new location and adventures on the family’s bi-annual vacation, which increased from nine members to twenty-eight participants over the course of almost thirty years of travel. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandkids on the farm, where they cheered for Ohio State, played hide-and-seek, rode the tractor, and pitched horseshoes. However, his favorite activity was spending time with his family.
Lester was a devoted member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, which was located in rural Defiance County. He participated in a variety of capacities at the church, including teaching Sunday School, being a deacon, being the president of the church council, and singing in the church choir.
Volunteering for DASH, Camp Palmer 4-H camp, and the Defiance Hospital were some of the places he worked. Carol, Lester’s wife of 64 years, and their children Darlene (Michael) Hillman of Sycamore, Illinois, Bradley (Cecilia) Hillman of Phoenix, Arizona, and Karen (David) Panella of Burlington, Kentucky, are among those who are left behind after his passing.
In addition, his sister Sarah Jane Bennett, who is married to Michael, and his sister-in-law, Phyllis Sanders, as well as nine grandchildren, including Shawn Hillman, who is married to Garnet, Amber Kelley, who is married to Brian, Joel Hillman, who is married to Allison, Janet Peto, who is married to Bryan, Sarah Johnson, who is married to Tom, Olivia Panella, Lucas Panella, Emily Sanders, and Alicia Sanders, as well as twelve great-grandchildren, are still alive. His brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, D. Lee (Kathy) Higbea and Bernadine Higbea of Defiance, as well as a large number of nieces and nephews, are also among those who are left behind after his passing.
