Ivan Sander

VANCLEAVE, Miss. -- Ivan Lee Sander, 89, of Vancleave, formerly of Columbia, Missouri, entered eternal life peacefully at home Thursday, March 16, 2017, after a short illness. He's now back in Betty's loving arms.

There will be a private funeral with interment in Jackson.

Ivan was born March 13, 1928, in Cape Girardeau. He attended a one-room school for grades one through eight and then graduated from College High School in Cape Girardeau in 1946.

His boyhood summers were spent on his grandparents' farm near Jackson, where he met Betty Ann Wendel, the love of his life. He and Betty were married June 12, 1949, and spent 65 wonderful years together. They welcomed three children into their lives, Saundra, Deborah and Michael.

Ivan received bachelor's and master's degrees in science of forestry from the University of Missouri, graduating in 1953. After graduation, he began his 36-year career as a research forester with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. His specialty was researching how to manage and regenerate hardwood forests of the Central United States effectively, and he published numerous papers on the subject. His career took Betty and him to several places over the years, including Berea, Kentucky; Athens, Ohio; and Columbia, where he retired in 1989.

Ivan was an active volunteer with the Columbia Kiwanis Club and served as president and on numerous committees. At the time of his move to Vancleave, he was a member of the Columbia United Church of Christ, where he was twice president of the church council and served on many committees throughout his membership.

He and Betty loved to golf, bowl and play bridge and pinochle. They were big Mizzou basketball and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fans. Ivan was also an accomplished woodworker, making intricate cars, toys and other items for all the grandchildren. The last several years, he enjoyed making wooden pens and pencils and giving them away to his "special people."

Ivan is survived by his three children, Saundra Moore of Vancleave, Deborah (Pat) Richards of Bliss, Idaho, and Michael (Cindy) Sander, also of Vancleave; five grandchildren, Jaret Moore (Trudy) of Mobile, Alabama, Travis Moore of New Orleans, Ben Sander of Bozeman, Montana, and Amanda and Alicia Richards of Bliss; and two great-grandchildren, Kayley and Maddox Moore of Mobile.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Sander, and his granddaughter, Sarah Sander.

Ivan was a kind, loving and generous man, which was evidenced by his care of Betty during her long struggle with Parkinson's, refusing to put her in a facility. He was our hero and will be terribly missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Deaconess Hospice, 2556 Marcia Court, Suite 101, Biloxi, MS 39531. We thank them for all the loving care they gave to our father.

Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.