Charles E. Sanders

Charles Edward Sanders (77) of Topeka, passed peacefully with his family at his side on March 13, 2010 at Stormont-Vail Health Care.

He was born April 7, 1932 in Knoxville, Iowa, the son of William and Lois Vickroy Sanders.

Charles was a veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant having served honorably for 20 years, to include service in Vietnam.  After retiring from the Air Force he worked for  Prudential Insurance, Del Monte Food Inc. and then the Kansas Turnpike Authority until his retirement in 1997.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #400 and Phillip Billard Post #1650 of the VFW.

Charles was married to Betty Finch on December 22, 1952 in London, England.  She survives.

Other survivors include four children, Jim Sanders and his wife Theresa, John Sanders and his wife Gina, Jane Opp and her husband Gilbert, and Jennifer Waters andher husband Chris.  He has eight grandchildren; Elizabeth Sabau, Jason Sanders, Sarah Carter, Erica Sanders, Sean Sanders, David Opp, Rachel Tolbert, Rebecca Tolbert, and a great granddaughter, Audrey Sabau.  A brother Robert Sanders and a sister Connie Crawford also survive.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Donald and Larry.

Charles will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church Klasse Chapel.  Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors provided by McConnell Air Force Base.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Auxiliary Angel Fund of the Stormont-Vail Foundation for benefit of local cancer patients with special needs.  Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home, 800 SW 6th Ave., 66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com..