Lavonne J. (Gates) Sanders

LaVonne J. Sanders, age 93 of Wheeler, passed away Monday March 20, 2023 at Covenant Healthcare Saginaw. The daughter of the late Wesley and Clara (Mountain) Gates was born in Breckenridge on August 28, 1929 where she was raised and educated. LaVonne was a member and very involved with First Congregational Church in Breckenridge. She lived on a farm all of her life, enjoyed baking, cooking, canning, playing bingo, traveling, bird watching and gong to the casino. LaVonne also enjoyed raising small animals especially dogs. On November 1, 1947 in Breckenridge LaVonne married Robert Sanders and after 35 years of marriage he died in 1982.

Surviving are her sons, Mervyn Sanders of Breckenridge, Clifford (Joann) Sanders of St. Louis; daughters, Roberta (Jim) Marshall, Loretta Sanders all of Midland, Marsha Young of Saginaw; grandchildren, Stefanie (Trevor) Shook, Eric (Kristen) Marshall, James (Karman) Sanders, Andrew (Samantha) Sanders, Danielle Holland; great grandchildren, McKayla, Kaytlin, James Robert, Jr., Elizabeth, Lillian, Ethan, Calyn, Lexi, Izzy, Erin; sister, Carol Butcher; many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, LaVonne was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Gates; sisters, Mary Jane Painter, Shirley Donley; son in law, Victor Young; her dog Buddy.

Funeral and committal services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2023 at First Congregational Church in Breckenridge with Rev. Nate Tester officiating. Interment will be in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Breckenridge. Family will receive guests at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 until 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be offered to First Congregational Church or Breckenridge Food Pantry. Personal messages of condolence maybe offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com.