Roger George Sanders, 78, of Tekonsha passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Ascension Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home.
Roger was born September 21, 1946 in Hazel Park, MI to Boyd and Philimena (Collins) Sanders. His middle name came from his Uncle George, who was killed fighting in the Philippines in World War II.
Shortly after he was born, the family moved to a home that his father built on West Main Street in Oshtemo Township, MI. In his first years he attended the nearby one-room Hurd School. In his youth, Roger enjoyed playing in the rural neighborhood with his brothers and especially his good friend Tom DeWolff.
He was very active in sports, playing ping pong on dad’s-built table, playing softball and football in the family’s front yard, and joining 4-H where he was a member of the fast-pitch softball team that won a state championship. In college, he played on an intramural basketball team called the “Nads”.
In his summers, Roger worked with his father in the family’s water well-drilling business, Sanders & Son, which included carrying heavy pipes and drilling equipment. He also learned to drive, following the drilling rig in a pickup truck to work sites, and one time while doing so had an unfortunate accident, luckily remaining unharmed.
Roger looked forward to each summer where he could go to the Kalamazoo County Fair, see the many 4-H exhibits, and ride the Ferris wheel and roller coaster. Also, a highlight each summer was spending a week at Gull Lake with his cousins.
Roger graduated from Portage Central High School in 1964. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1968 and his Master of Science degree in 1972, both from Western Michigan University.
After graduating from college, Roger became a professional educator. He taught for the Coldwater Community Schools for 37 years, mostly at Coldwater High School and briefly at the middle school level. He became a well-respected teacher who inspired his students to learn science and biology. He also taught Adult Education for many years exemplifying his belief that everyone deserved an opportunity to get an education.
During his summers off from teaching, he was an adjuster for Farmer’s Mutual Hail where he walked the fields with long time coworker and friend, Alan Schorfhaar. He retired in 2006.
Roger also served as the Village President of Tekonsha for several terms and was instrumental in bringing P.O.W.E.R. for Kids to the village. This program helped to instill the importance of belonging to and participating in one’s community. He believed that everyone had an obligation to vote, especially on the local level.
Roger married Dianne L. Moorman December 15, 1967 at St. Monica Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, MI. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with Dianne and his children and grandchildren, especially to Florida and Disney World.
He always had a friendly smile, was known for his humor and hearty laughter, and never complained even in his later years fighting serious illness.
He is survived by his wife Dianne; his children Steven (Lyndsey Loveberry) Sanders of Madison, WI; Tirsha (Bill) Odisher of Quincy, MI; his siblings David (Bonnie) Sanders of Portage, MI; Thom (Francie) Sanders of San Diego, CA; his grandchildren Joshua Odisher, Austn (Shelby) Odisher, Emily (Bryce) Ruhl, William Roger Odisher; great grandchild Mason Odisher and 2 more great grandsons on the way.
Memorials may be directed to the Tibbits Opera House https://tibbits.org/.
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