Roland Sander

Leo Roland Sander, 81, of Gordonville passed away Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 25, 1939, in Gordonville, son of Leo Rudolph and Hermina Wessel Sander. He and Sharon Kuntze Sander were married Aug. 3, 1968, at Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville.

Roland was a 1957 graduate of Jackson High School and earned a bachelor degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1961. In 1963, he began teaching at Jackson Junior High School, retiring in 1993 after 30 years. Roland taught ninth grade civics and eventually American history. He was a very well-respected and well-liked teacher. He was the owner/operator of Sander Nursery near Gordonville, in addition to livestock and crop farming on the family farm near Burfordville.

Being a life-long member of Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville, he was baptized, confirmed, married, and will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. Roland served in many capacities at the church. He was an elder, was on the cemetery committee for many years, and was active in the men's choir, to name a few. He served as president of Riverside Regional Library Board, was currently a chairman of Cape County Health Department, and ran for state representative in 1970.

Loving survivors include his wife of 52 years, Sharon Sander of Gordonville; three sons, Jonathan (Connie) Sander of St. Louis, Joel (Kelly) Sander of Gordonville and David (Erica) Sander of Burfordville; five grandchildren, Aiden, Grant, Emily, Kyle and August Sander; a sister, Shirley O'Connor of College Station, Texas; a brother-in-law, Richard Ruch of Kent, Ohio; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Kuintze of Burfordville.

Also surviving are two stepgrandchildren, Jessica Dressler and Shawn Durbin, and two great-stepgrandchildren, Kaylee and Kyler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Leola Ruch; a brother-in-law, Rodney O'Connor; and a nephew, Mark O'Connor.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to service time Wednesday at Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Jacob May officiating. Burial will follow in Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery in Gordonville. Pallbearers will be Lee Gerler, John Wessel, Josh Wessel, Geoff Shinn, Brad Wendel and Brian Timberlake.

The family suggests that contributions be made to Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville or to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.