Lt. Col Richard Dale Sanders

Richard “Dick” Dale Sanders, 84, of Marion, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the First Church of God in Marion, with Pastors Roy Pepmiller and Mike Ebert officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, at the church.  Graveside services with military rites will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Egyptian Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Church of God in Marion.

Dick was born on Leap Day, February 29, 1940, in West Frankfort, to Leo Vance and Lou (McNelly) Sanders. He married Francine Norman on March 24, 1962, in Marion – celebrating 62 years together this year. 

He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with degrees in Math and Physics. His flying career began in the US Air Force in April, 1962. As top of his class, he was chosen as instructor pilot for the T-37, T-33 and T-38, reaching the honor of Master Instructor Pilot.  Following 7 years of active duty, he joined the IL National Guard (Chief of Safety) flying the KC-135, with a total of 23 years of military flying, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

In 1968, he joined Trans World Airlines (TWA) for 16 years. While furloughed in 1974-1977, he flew as a missionary pilot, rebuilding churches and schools in Central and South America, with Project Partner based in Wichita, Kansas. In 1984, he joined USAirways, flying as Captain before retiring as FAA Check Airman for the airline in 2000.  In 2001, he became the Captain of a private DC-9 aircraft for the NHL Hockey Team Columbus Bluejackets. He officially retired in August 2016 at 76 years old. A flying career of 54 years. His final flight delivered ‘his’ DC-9 plane, with the Bluejackets logo and Capt. Richard D. Sanders emblazoned on the side, to its final home at the Texas Air & Space Museum in Amarillo, Texas where it is permanently on display.

At home, he remained active throughout the community and his church. He taught Math and Science in the Chicago area and, for a brief period, as a substitute teacher at Marion Jr. High. He remains the longest serving member of the Marion Unit 2 School Board, serving 28 years. He was a member of Marion First Church of God where he served as Worship Leader, Youth Leader and was still active as Bible Study Group Leader. He loved being a mentor to young men and women seeking advice on career paths and his time as a liaison officer for the Air Force Academy.  He was also an avid hunter and treasured the Thanksgiving pheasant hunt and Elk hunting in Colorado.

With all his accomplishments and honors, his greatest love was his family. Along with his wife of 62 years, Francine, he was a proud father of 3 boys, watching each grow and succeed. Richard (Iris) Sanders: Air Force Academy graduate, engineer and singer/songwriter with Fortress Quartet; Mark Sanders: Actor, singer and solo entertainer; and Donny (Loraine) Sanders: following in his footsteps as a Captain with JetBlue. He was a grandfather or more fondly, “Papa Dick”, to Sabrina and Reagen, and great-grandfather to Juniper. He was also “Uncle Dick” to many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, plus dear friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob and Don Sanders; and sisters, Arietta Grant, JoAnn Martin, and Juanita “Peggy” Trout.

His ever-present smile and infectious laugh lit up every room he entered. He was conscious to make sure everyone was included and, most importantly, heard. He taught us to be grounded in our faith and trust in the power of prayer. The absence of his physical presence, as difficult as it is, completes the circle of life. But the light he left in those around him will continue to grow far beyond our imagination. A life lived to the fullest and a legacy to be humbled by.

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