Vernon Sander

Vernon Henry Sander, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, April 7, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born June 20, 1924, at Cape Girardeau, son of Henry W. and Mary Kiehne Sander. He was raised by his father and stepmother, Emma Neumeyer Sander. He and Jean K. Nothdurft were married Aug. 22, 1948, in Cape Girardeau.

Sander retired as superintendent of postal operations at the Cape Girardeau Post Office in 1986 after 42 years of service.

He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, having served in Europe from 1942 to 1945 as a B-17G radio operator. Sander was a graduate of University High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Rolla. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he was treasurer for 48 years, a member of Kimbeland Country Club, the SEMO Booster Club and Cape Girardeau VFW Post 3838.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Timothy W. Sander of Fairview Heights, Ill.; two daughters, Cynthia S. Lashley of St. Charles, Mo., and Lisa B. Ruch of Millersville, Mo.; two brothers, Ivan Sander of Columbia, Mo., and Charles Sander of Pfafftown, N.C.; and a sister, Martha Sanderson of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Sander, and a sister, Betty Statler.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Grace United Methodist Church. The Rev. Anselm William, Rev. Jerry Statler and Rev. James Sanderson will officiate, with burial in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Grace United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.