Louis E. Sanders

Louis Edward Sanders died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at the home of his daughter, Sharon K. Sanders, in Cape Girardeau. He was 93 years old.

Sanders was born Sept. 27, 1917, near Commerce, Mo., the son of Henry Sanders and Hulda Sander Sanders Hilleman. He married Frances M. Stehr on May 28, 1956, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. She preceded him in death Feb. 8, 2004.

Sanders grew up on a farm near Commerce and as a young man worked with his father building houses. He later worked as a carpenter in Cape Girardeau, St. Louis and Chicago. For about 30 years, he was an edge trimmer with Florsheim Shoe Co. in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1982.

He was a veteran of World War II. He was inducted into the Army on March 29, 1944, and was discharged April 21, 1946, having served as an artillery mechanic with the 294th Ordnance MM Company in France and Germany.

He was an avid hunter and amateur gunsmith.

Sanders was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral Parish.

He is survived by his son, David R. Sanders of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Susan M. and Sharon K. Sanders, both of Cape Girardeau; one sister, Ordelia "Jackie" Wahrhausen; two grandchildren, Katherine (George) Webster and Laura Hermsdorfer, both of Cape Girardeau; and numerous other relatives.

Along with his wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Jean A. Hermsdorfer, who died in 2008; four brothers, Adam H. Sanders, William B. Sanders, John M. Sanders and James R. Sanders; four sisters, Susan A. Sanders, Jennie M. Schmitt, Mae Keesee, Mary A. Bull; and two half-sisters, Lena Spradlin and Lucille McCarty.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, with parish prayers at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Notre Dame Regional High School or St. Mary Cathedral-Building on Faith.