Gerald Beckwith Sanders Sr.

Sanders, Sr. Gerald Beckwith, 93, of Kettering, Ohio, passed away Thursday, February 22, 2007. He is survived by Pauline Sloan Sanders his loving wife of almost 70 years and his three children, Judy Selby of Charleston, South Carolina, Paula MacIlwaine and her husband John, and Gerald Sanders Jr. and his wife Diana of Dayton. 'Jerry' was born in Butler, Pennsylvania in 1913. In his early career working with the Bantam car company in Butler, Pennsylvania, he was one of the early fabricators of the Army jeep used in World War II. The family later moved to Erie, Pennsylvania when he started his sales career in the steel industry. After another career move to Hudson, Ohio, he continued in steel sales, he and Pauline retired to Dayton, Ohio to be near their children and grandchildren. During the winter months they lived at the Southwinds in Sarasota, Florida where they formed many of their close friendships. Jerry was a topnotch musician as a banjo and ukulele player from his youth to the present. He was a 25 year member of the Kettering Banjo Society and the Ukulelians. His playing extended to Florida gigs and this past summer, he attended the National Banjo Convention in Michigan where he 'jammed ' all night with banjo players from all over the world. Along with his volunteer work at Kettering Hospital ER 20 years, he was a member of Far Hills Lodge F&AM, Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton, Antioch Shrine, Arabic Club and Royal Order of Jesters. Jerry loved golf and he was proud of carrying his own bag 18 Holes, even at 93. He was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Oakwood, often volunteering at the yearly rummage sale. Jerry and Pauline traveled all over the world, making many friends along the way. It was often said of Jerry that, “he never met a stranger.' Every June they celebrated their anniversary in Las Vegas. Their 70th wedding anniversary was to be celebrated June 12, 2007. Jerry is survived by a brother, William Sanders of Sacramento, California, and his adoring grandchildren Robin Bechtel, Stacey Corcoran and her husband Phil, Wendy Bendersky and her husband Lee, Amy Winter and her husband David, Carrieann Sanders and Gerald B. Sanders III and John H. Macilwaine and his wife Tricia. In addition he is survived by nine loving great-grandchildren Delaney, Cameron and Grady Corcoran, Samantha Winter, Samantha, Natalie and Patrick MacIlwaine, Abigail and Isabelle Bendersky. A private family burial was held at David's Cemetery. A Celebration of Jerry's life will take place at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 33 West Dixon in Oakwood on Saturday, March 3, 2007, at 3 PM. The family will receive friends after the service in the Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jerry's name can be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45420. The family wishes to thank Hospice of Dayton for the wonderful care of our husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

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