Joan L. Sanders

Joan L. Sanders, 73, of Auburn, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2012, at home, surrounded by her family. She was born October 19, 1938 in Gary, Indiana, the daughter of Joe and Elouise Taylor. She married Michael A. "Tony" Sanders in 1962; they were divorced in 1981. Joan served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956-1959, being stationed at Parris Island, SC and Cherry Point, NC, attached to the 2nd Marine Air Wing, Overhaul and Repair Squadron. During her 50+ working years, she was employed by the Springfield Marine Bank (currently JP Morgan Chase), 1st State Bank (currently Illini Bank), and the IL Department of Revenue. She retired after 25 years of service with the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, which included Lincoln Home NHS, Springfield, IL, Harry S. Truman NHS, Independence, MO, and New River Gorge National River, Glen Jean, WV. Additional duty assignments included FBI-NPS homicide investigation at Shenandoah NP, Virginia, Gauley Complex Fires, West Virginia, Veiled Prophet Fair, St. Louis, MO, EXXON Valdez Oil Spill, Seward, AK, and Spring Grizzly Bear Hunt, King Salmon, AK. She completed her working years with temporary employment at the IL Department of Public Health, a local law office, and Memorial Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, J. Lloyd Taylor; and infant sister, Verna Lee Taylor. She is survived by three daughters, Michelle Pansa, Marielle "Mewffie" Sanders, and Julianne (companion, Bruce Lair) Sanders; four grandchildren, John Michael (wife, Rhiannon) Sanders, Nicholas (wife, Carissa) Noblet, Meghann (companion, Nathan Lair) Noblet, and Joseph "Joey" Sanders; five great-grandchildren, Alexis, Vincent, and Nicholas Sanders, and Aidan and Addyson Noblet; foster brother, William H. (wife, Christine) Herndon; and 26 nieces and nephews. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield with Rev. Thomas Radtke officiating. Graveside ceremony will be held at a later date. Joan was a big supporter of the Animal Protective League. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd., Springfield, IL 62702. (This should not be a surprise to anyone who knew her.)