John Everett Saunders, Sr. Obituary (1939 - 2018)

John Everett Saunders, Sr., 79 of Ramsey, passed away Sunday, September 30, 2018, surrounded by family, in the home where he lived for the past 46 years. He was born February 8, 1939 in Fayette County, IL to the late Alvin "Sonny" & Eva Jane (Eller) Saunders. He married Nancy Lee Brandon on September 14, 1958 at Hopewell Baptist Church. He was the love of her life since the age of 16. John graduated from Ramsey High School and lived in the Pana area his entire life with exception of just over 7 years when he and Nancy lived in Wilmington. He was a member of the Ramsey Christian Church and worked as a welder at Caterpillar for 32 years. He then began welding on his own with his portable welding shop. He has said "I have welded everything but the crack of dawn and a broken heart and I know Who can fix them". He also pastored churches in Nokomis and Ramsey for several years. Though seen as a hardworking man, work was actually his hobby. He spent years working six days a week but always made the most of his time with his family, being 100% focused on them. He was a dad and a grandpa to everyone and thought of as a teacher, leader, and always willing to help others. Along with his wife, John is survived by his children: Pam Hand of Ramsey, Patty (Bob) Berns of Morton, John "Butch" (Sharon) Saunders, Jr. of Ramsey, Sandy (Cecil) Carter of Taylorville, Scott (Lisa) Saunders of Ramsey, Jeremy Saunders of Pana; 22 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; siblings: Charles "Butch" (Betty Jo) Saunders, Sr., Velma Ballard, Merle (Nancy Ann) Saunders, Sr., Darrell (Karen) Saunders all of Ramsey, and Jody Saunders (Companion Jamie Wines) of Beecher City; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services for John will be held Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. with Scott Saunders officiating. Burial will be in Price Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials in John's honor may be made to Ramsey Christian Church, 206 S Jefferson St, Ramsey, IL 62080 and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, who is assisting the family.