H. Allen Sanders Jr.

H. Allen Sanders, Jr., 87, of Oberlin, passed away on February 27, 2012, after living with Alzheimer's Disease for a lengthy period. Allen was born in Richmond, Indiana, on March 16, 1924, one of 10 children of Virginia and Henry Allen Sanders, Sr. He grew up in Richmond and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in W.W. II as a radioman and target gunner in B17s, based first in England, then in Foggia, Italy, as part of the 816th Bombardment Squadron, 15th Air Force. After the war, he attended Earlham College and lived at various times in Indiana, in California, where he ran a manufacturing plant and owned and operated a restaurant; in Florida, where he owned and operated a mobile home park; and in Galion, Ohio, where he ran a mobile home and recreational vehicle manufacturing plants. Later, in Galion, he studied with a master clock repairer and then opened his own establishment, Ye Olde Clocke Shoppe, where he repaired and sold antique clocks and watches, as well as jewelry. He retired and subsequently moved to Oberlin in 2007. Allen always enjoyed time with his family, neighbors, and friends. He loved to play cards with his neighborhood buddies, enjoyed fishing and boating, model trains, motorcycles, farm fields and old barns, gospel music, singing in the church choir, ice cream, and his mother's biscuits. He loved dogs and had several in his lifetime, including his current dog, Bullet. Allen could fix anything. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason, and a member of the American Legion for many years. He was extremely proud of his military service, loved his country and had a strong faith in God. He lived life to the fullest, never afraid to try something new. He laughed easily, remained calm under pressure, and was always a gentleman. Allen is survived by his second wife, Cynthia (nee Murnan) Sanders; daughter, Connie (Steve) Gist of Caledonia Ohio, daughter, Sandra (Roy) Bernard of Traverse City, Mich., son, Dana (Cathy) of Galion, Ohio, and daughter, Virginia (Richard) Beightler of Columbus, Ohio, as well as sister, Doris Campbell of Richmond Ind.; brother, William (Patsy) of Lebanon, Ind., brother, Arthur James (Karen) of Port Charlotte, Fla., sister, Patricia (Ray) Helton of Richmond, Ind., brother, John of Evansville Ind., sister-in-law, Kathleen Baker of Vermilion, and step-nephew, Gavin Baker of Vermilion. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren; plus numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. Allen was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Alleen (nee Prather); as well as his siblings, Naomi Reid, Leotha Bowling, Charles Sanders, and Eileen Rausch. Funeral service for H. Allen Sanders Jr. will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 74924, Cleveland, OH 44194-4924, or to the New Life Hospice, 5255 North Abbe Rd., Elyria, OH 44035. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

H. Allen Sanders Jr.

March 16, 1924 - February 27, 2012