Dwight Sanders, 87, of Woodlawn, passed away at 2:06 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at St. Louis University Hospital, in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born February 1, 1939, in Boyd, Illinois, the son of Newell and Martha Marie (Mattox) Sanders.
Dwight is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Rena (Coleman) Sanders of Woodlawn, Illinois; his four children, Roger Sanders and Mary Jo (Henson) Sanders of Cedar Hill, Tennessee, Lisa Sanders and Nate Bucklin of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Linda (Sanders) Blauvelt and Dan Blauvelt of Fair Grove, Missouri, and Dee “Birdie” Deanna Sanders and Jaime Tolbert of Marion, Illinois. He is also survived by his much-loved grandchildren, Joshua and Danielle Sanders, Amy and Matt Odom, Benjamin Cox, Cameron Crews, Cody Crews, Carter Crews, Trevor Sanders, KayLee Sanders and Cooper Tolbert; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Mildred Rapp of Zephyr, Texas; two brothers, Glenn (Margie) Sanders of Johnston City, Illinois, and Charles (Sue) Sanders of Woodlawn, Illinois; sisters-in-law, Dessie Sanders of Woodlawn, Illinois, and Vickie Sanders of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.
Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, Newell and Marie Sanders; brothers, Melvin Sanders, Marvin Sanders, Robert (Bob) Sanders, Roy Sanders, and Floyd Earl Sanders; and sisters, Esther Edwards and Mary Capps.
Dwight was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed building homes for many families in the community and loved building glider swings and other craft projects. He was also employed at Boatmen’s Bank (formerly Security Bank and Trust), in Mt Vernon, Illinois, and enjoyed many friendships there, as well as the annual bank luncheons. He will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his strong work ethic, and the love that he had for his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by his wife and family, and all who knew him.
Dwight and his wife Rena faithfully attended Central Christian Church in Mt Vernon, Illinois. Serving God was a priority throughout his life, and he raised his family in church, which was very important to him. He always encouraged others to put God first in their lives.
Funeral services for Mr. Sanders will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, Illinois, with Pastor Jon Henninger and Pastor James McKenzie officiating. Burial will follow at New Shiloh Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. (noon) until the hour of service, at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to Central Christian Church Kid Depot, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.