Floyd Norman Sanders

Floyd Norman Sanders, 76, of Dowagiac, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Sister Lakes Community Church, Dowagiac with military honors conducted by the North Berrien Military Rights Team. Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Friday, February 17, 2017 at Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Sister Lakes Community Church. Online condolences may be made at www.starks-menchinger.com Floyd was born on November 26, 1940 to the late Edward and Florence (Clark) Sanders in International Falls, MN. He graduated from Berrien Springs High School, class of 1959. On November 6, 1966 he married Sandra “Sandi” Heeter in Hartford. Floyd was a United States Army Veteran. He was very active in the 246 Armor Regiment of the Michigan Army National Guard. Floyd was also involved in several other groups including the NRA, Coloma American Legion Post 362 and the Dowagiac Conservation Club. He retired from Whirlpool Corporation in 2004 after 38 years of service. Floyd was an avid sportsman, gun enthusiast and was passionate about the second amendment. His greatest joy was teaching his grandchildren his shenanigans. He will be remembered for his quick wit and love of playing the guitar. Floyd is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandi; children, Tiffany (Ben) Sanders-Graves, Richard (Linda) Sanders (Lt Col, USAF) and Leslie (Mark) Sanders-Wild; grandchildren, Cody Graves-Sposato, Marissa and Maya Sanders and Andrew and Raegan Wild; sisters, Shirley Spencer and Pearl (Tom) Weir; brother, Douglas “Joe” (Linda) Nyborg and brother-in-law Bob Joyce; sister-in-law, Debbie (Burt) Tetzlaff; brother-in-law, Tom Kirkpatrick and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Joyce; father-in-law, Eugene “Butch” Heeter; mother-in-law, Lucille Heeter; brother-in-law, Lee Spencer; sister-in-law, Patricia Kirkpatrick and grandson, Benjamin Graves II.