Darrell Sander

Darrell Wayne Sander, 83, of Jackson passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at Monticello House.

Darrell Sander

He was born Dec. 2, 1940, in Gordonville to Edwin W. and Ida F. Wessel Sander. Darrell was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville, also the church of his union in marriage to Ruth Ann Heider on Dec. 23, 1961. One daughter, Lisa Darrellene Sander Craft, was born to their union.

Darrell was raised in Gordonville and attended Needmore Grade School, where his father served as county superintendent. He was a 1959 graduate of Jackson High School, where he lettered in football and basketball and established the "J Club" at Jackson High. He and Ruth Ann "Ruthie" were awarded the honor of being the 1958 football king and queen.

After graduation, Darrell enlisted in the Army National Guard. He proudly served from June 14, 1959, until April 26, 1967, when he was honorably discharged.

Darrell was a truck driver for nearly 55 years, retiring in 2015 due to his declining health. He most recently drove for Lang Trucking and Tim Tuschhoff Trucking. He drove 15 years for Sunrise Express in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he received numerous driving awards, include the prestigious Viking Award for operating an 18-wheeler (tractor-trailer) all across the United States with no incidents or accidents for more than a million miles. Other employment included Macke Trucking, Pete Meyer, McDonald Concrete, Crites and Sailer, R.B. Potashnick Construction, Delta Asphalt, K & R Trucking, Indiana, Ryder and Do it Best.

Darrell was a caring, affectionate man and enjoyed laughter and bringing smiles to everyone's faces. He made friends everywhere he went, for he never met a stranger. His smile was contagious. Pastor Sam Roethemeyer said it best: "What a special friend Darrell was and what a presence of a gentleman and joy to be around."

Darrell's love of "the game" came from playing football, basketball and baseball with his younger brothers, James and Don, and cousins down around Dutchtown. Way back then is when he was given the nickname "Big D".

He was a Jackson Indian football fan through and through. His daughter, Lisa, often kidded him that his blood must bleed red and black — "JHS Football" colors, and just about everyone knew that "Red" was his favorite color.

He and Ruth Ann had been members of St. John's United Church of Christ since the early 1980s and were former members of Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Loving survivors include his daughter, Lisa (Jeff) Craft of Jackson; granddaughter, Alisha (Ben) McMillan of Fletcher, North Carolina; great-granddaughter, Lynnlee Grace McMillian; brother and two sisters-in-law, James K. "Jim" (Karen) Sander of Jackson and Sandy (the late Don) Sander of Sikeston; niece, Michelle (Jeremy) Hohler of Jackson; and two nephews, Dane (MacKenzie) Sander of Perryville and Garrett Sander of St. Louis.

Also surviving are three great-nieces, three great-nephews, one stepniece, two stepnephews and several great-stepnieces and -nephews.

Darrell was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Ann "Ruthie" Sander; parents, Edwin and Ida Wessel Sander; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Albert and Arlyn Hoffman Heider; brother, Don Wesley Sander; infant sister; and three infant nieces.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday, Jan. 20, at St. John's United Church of Christ in Fruitland.

Darrell's — aka "Big D" — celebration of life will follow at noon Saturday, Jan. 20, at the church, with Dr. Rodney Pensel officiating. A graveside service, with full military honors, will follow in the church cemetery.

As Darrell requested, he wanted to extend his personal gratitude to the following caring and loyal individuals: his sister-in-law, Karen Sander; friends, Lety Patterson, Beverly Tuchhoff and Susan Loennecke; compassionate caregivers, Ann Wilson, Brittany Simmons and Rick Isaac; along with the entire staff at Monticello House in Jackson; and his JHS Indians football buddies, Elizabeth "Liz" Berchold, and her son, Landon, who faithfully took Darrell to the 2023 JHS Indians home football games.

Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews, Dane and Garrett Sander; cousin, Mark Wessell; and friends, Steve Pyles, Brian Schoenebeck and Doug Ludwig.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Karen Sander, Elizabeth "Liz" Berchold, Landon Berchold, Letty Patterson, Beverly Tucshhoff, Susan Loennecke, Joe Nussbaum, Dewey Nussbaum, Randy Ludwig, Roger Lang and Eddie White.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Jackson R-2 Schools, c/o J-Club, 614 E. Adams St., Jackson, MO 63755 or St. John's United Church of Christ Cemetery Fund, 795 State Highway FF, Jackson, MO 63755.

The family entrusted McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson with Darrell's final arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Darrell's web page at www14.funeralwebhost.com/mmx/obituary/Darrell-Sander.