Orval Osler Sanders

Orval Osler Sanders, was born on June 16, 1917 in Hebren, Missouri to Walter and Rhoda (Price) Sanders. Orval went home peacefully Saturday morning, April 12 in the Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Missouri, following a long illness at 90 years of age.
As a boy he grew up around Richville in Douglas County. While living in Notice, Idaho, Orval worked along side his mother picking crops in the fields and still found time for Boy Scouts.
He was a 1936 graduate of Mtn. Grove High School. He enjoyed supporting the Panthers and other school functions.
Orval met and married the love of his life, Nellie Eve Sutton on June 11, 1937. They were blessed by the birth of two children: Ronald Walter and Nancy Jo.
Orval worked to provide for his family in jobs at Boeing Aircraft, Manor Bread as a Salesman, Brown Shoe Company, as a dairy farmer, and as a barber. He enjoyed visiting with the patrons in his shop and was dedicated to making home visits to the elderly who were unable to come to the shop. He owned rental property and pampered the elderly ladies who were his tenants. He also served the Mtn. Grove Township as a board member and treasurer.
Orval accepted the Lord at the First Freewill Baptist Church and served the Lord there by singing in the choir, sewing zippers back on choir robes, serving as treasurer, donating rock and helping to lay it when the addition was built on. In later years, Ron and Thelma took Orval and Nellie to church with them. He was happy when the family got to visit for services and they all gathered around the piano as Nancy played and they sang. He went along to the nursing homes and shared his love for singing with the residents as Ron did.
Orval loved taking his family on vacations and on fishing trips. He and Nellie, along with Garmal and Florence were able to enjoy several winters together in the Rio Grand Valley. He always looked forward to spring and Nancy taking them to Silver Dollar City until this last year.
Orval is survived by his loving wife: Nellie of their home; one son: Ronald Walter Sanders and his wife, Thelma, of Mtn., Grove; one daughter: Nancy Dedmon and her husband, Mike, of rural Hartville, Missouri; one brother: Garmal Sanders and his wife, Florence, of Rolla, Missouri, eight grandchildren by birth and love: Mattheson, Justin and wife Sarah, Joshua and wife Kathy, Autumn and husband Zach, Austin, Earl and wife Shannon, Melisa, and Venice; eight great-grandchildren: Shayla, Chelsea, Whitney, Hunter, Noah, Lakota, Ryan, and Richelle; several nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by an older brother: Roy, who died of typhoid as a teenager.
A special thanks to the staff of Texas County Memorial Hospital who met our needs, Kirby Clark for his visits, Evelyn Williams for taking daddy outside one last time, Pauline who faithfully sent cards, and everyone who visited, called, sent cards, and prayed for him.
Funeral services for Orval Sanders will be held Wednesday, April 16, 10:00 Am in the First Freewill Baptist Church, Mtn. Grove, with Rev. Floyd O’Guin and Rev. Bruce Moore officiating. Kirby Clark, Fern Dugger and Doris Lee served as singers. Song selections are “When I’ve Traveled My Last Mile,” “I Want To Stroll Over Heaven with You,” “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” “When All God’s Singers Get Home,” and “I’ll Fly Away.” Pallbearers are Earl Bennett, Venice Evans, Melisa Turney, Joshua Fronterhouse Dedmon, Autumn Summers, Zach Summers, Austin Dedmon, Gary Sanders, Matt Fronterhouse, and Justin Sanders. Honorary pallbearers were Lorna Holm, Lynn Hurtt, Ray Bradley, Kirby Clark, Amiel Clark, Jim Sinning, Greg Thompson, Ralph Summers, Harley Van Shannon, Jack Dale, Elmer Moody and Paul Gasperson. Burial will be in the Lone Star Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.


Funeral Services:
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mtn. Grove.
Visitation:
Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM in the funeral home.
Burial:
Lone Star Cemetery
In lieu of flowers/contributions to:
The Gideons