Carlton Joseph Sauder

Carlton was born on April 2, 1929, in Fort Wayne, IN to Jerry H. Sauder and Wilma (Grabill) Sauder. He graduated in the class of ‘47 from Leo High School and class of ‘51 from Bluffton College and did graduate work at Purdue University. He was drafted in 1952 and served as a sergeant in the Army 25th Signal Company Photo Section from 1952 to 1954 as a photographer during the Korean War. His most famous pictures were of the USO shows, including Marilyn Monroe.

Carlton was reserved, shy, curious, steady, a quiet leader and known for his wry sense of humor. His professional career was working in the business his father started in 1920, Sauder Feeds, and he rebuilt the business after the feed mill burned to the ground in 1965. He served on many professional boards, including, The National Animal Nutrition Council, Indiana Grain Dealers Association, USDA Soybean Council, which took him on several trips to China and the Eastern Block. This led to the business hosting Chinese and Polish delegations.

His curiosity led to obtaining his private pilot's license, learning how to use and incorporate computers into the family business, researching the genealogy of the family, travelling both near and far and there was always a new camera or computer to be had.

He created a cabin retreat in the woods just north of his home in DeKalb County, named Deerpath. He would love to plant trees, make paths in the woods, watch the birds and deer roam the property. There was always a new project at hand. Deerpath became a cherished place of retreat for the whole family.

As an elected or appointed official, Carlton served on the Grabill, IN town council for many years, Cedar Creek township trustee, Cedar Creek Township Assessor, Allen County Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

He also served on the Grabill Bank board of directors, as a member of the Lions club, and in his faith community, Crossview Church, as a deacon. As a teenager, his faith, curiosity and sense of service combined when he became a “sea-going cowboy” taking livestock to Poland following World War II. He was proud that all the horses he took care of survived the crossing.

Carlton is survived by his wife of 73 years, M. Joanne (Miller) Sauder; sons, Jerry (Kathy Sivey) Sauder, Grabill, IN and James (Paul Hogrefe) Sauder, Palm Springs, CA; sister, Carolyn (John) Rich, Bluffton OH; grandchildren, Joshua (Alissa Michell) Sauder, Grabill, IN, Maria (Ben) Klea, Lagrange, OH, Megan (Nathan) Morse, Grabill, IN; great-grandchildren, Nora, Penny, Lucy, Charles, Theodore, Owen, Ian, Ethan, and Ashlynn; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry H. Sauder and Wilma (Grabill) Sauder; and sister, Kathryn Moore.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:00 am at Crossview Church, 12532 Grabill Road, Grabill, IN 46741. Visitation will be on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Crossview Church and one hour before the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crossview Church, Grabill IN or Heifer Project International, Little Rock, AR.

Arrangements were entrusted to D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN.