Weldon Sanders, 72 years, 5 months, and 15 days old, passed to heaven on January 31, 2011 at his home with his family by his side.

Weldon was born August 16, 1938 in Ava, MO to Herbert and Stella (Denney) Sanders.

Weldon was a lifelong resident of the Ava community. He was co-owner with his father, Herb of Sanders Rock Products.

On August 28, 1959 Weldon and Suzanne Reynolds were united in marriage at the Ava United Methodist Church and to this union two children were born.

Weldon was a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. He was a member of the Ava United Methodist Church. He enjoyed sports and was an accomplished athlete at Ava High School. In addition to being an avid reader of WW II history, he had his private pilot's license and enjoyed flying. He adored and loved his family and was an important mentor to his three grandchildren.

Weldon was preceded by his mother, Stella Sanders and his father-in-law, Rev. Lloyd E. "Buss" Reynolds, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Sanders, Ava, MO, his father, Herbert Sanders, Ava, MO, two children & their spouses, Susan & Matt Calhoun, Branson, MO and Mark & Ofelia Sanders, Ava, MO, three grandchildren, Tyler, Trevor and Makenzie Watterson, one brother & wife, Harvel & Susan Sanders, Sedalia, MO, his mother-in-law, Wilma Reynolds and other relatives and friends.



Funeral services for Weldon will be Friday, February 4, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ava United Methodist Church, Ava, MO with burial in the Denney Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, February 4, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to service time in the church. Officiating will be Rev. Marty Blakey. Memorials may be made to the Ava United Methodist Church or St. John's Hospice, 1570 W. Battlefield, Springfield, MO 65807. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO.