Donna Richardson Sanders, 82, of Lebanon, passed away on Feb. 24, 2021.
Donna was a lifelong resident of Boone County, and was born June 11, 1938, as the daughter of the late Owen Richardson and Pauline Beaty Richardson. She was a graduate of Sheridan High School, class of 1955, and Butler University, class of 1959. She received her master’s degree from Ball State University in 1965. She married Robert K. Sanders Dec. 20, 1959, at Sheridan United Methodist Church and recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Donna taught first grade for 26 years in Lafayette, Union Township in Boone County and Thorntown Elementary. Donna came from a family of devoted teachers and felt that was her true calling. She always enjoyed running into former students and hearing about their lives.
Donna will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving wife, devoted mother and a spirited, caring and attentive grandmother. She took great pleasure in her grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments, traveling to cheer their many school and sporting events. She was a member of Lebanon’s Centenary United Methodist Church where she taught both Sunday school and Bible school. Donna belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma, University Women and the Boone County Retired Teachers Association and enjoyed hosting meetings in her home every year. She was an active volunteer for Witham Hospital and Meals on Wheels. After retiring from teaching in 1993, Donna spent winters in Bradenton, Florida, where she enjoyed beautiful sunsets from her sixth floor condo. She was active on various social committees in her condo community and enjoyed organizing many fun parties over the years. Donna was always on the go, and her favorite part of the year was the spring break visits from her grandchildren and planning activities for the family to do together.
Donna is survived by her husband Bob, daughter Sheryl (David) Cassis, and son Dr. Scott (Michelle Howden) Sanders. She will be dearly missed by her eight grandchildren: Masin Cassis, Lucie Pauline Cassis, Justin Sanders, Donovan Sanders, Jayden Sanders, Julia Sanders, Nick Laconi and Joe Laconi. She is also survived by her sisters Nancy (Keith) Robb of Bradenton, Florida, and Martha (John) Rockey of Sheridan, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Due to ongoing public health concerns, Donna’s final arrangements will be limited to adult family members. Virtual participation in the memorial service on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, will be available online through Centenary United Methodist Church Facebook Page: https://m.facebook.com/centenaryumc/live.
Visitation – 1 pm, Memorial Service – 2 pm, Burial (procession to Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan, IN) All in-person attendees MUST WEAR A MASK and maintain safe PHYSICAL DISTANCING.
A future celebration of her life will likely take place in June 2021, exact date and location to be determined.
In Lieu of Flowers kindly consider a gift in Donna’s memory to the children’s program at Sheridan United Methodist Church in Sheridan, IN, the children’s program at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lebanon, IN or Meals on Wheels.
