Dorothy M. (Newlun) Sanders

Aug. 10, 1925 - July 8, 2003

Dorothy M. (Newlun) Sanders, 77, of Moss Road, went home to be with the Lord at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, in Memorial Hospital, after a year-and-a-half battle with colon cancer. Dorothy was born on Aug. 10, 1925, in South Bend, Ind., to the union of William and Lena (Miller) Newlun, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Willie, Alvin and Georgie; two sisters, Anna Mae Mantuefel and Marie Nemeth; and by a foster daughter, Janis (Rupert) Sanders.

She lived in South Bend her whole life and attended Riley High School.

On Sept. 6, 1946, in South Bend, she married Thomas L. Sanders, who survives. She is also survived by her daughter, Lena Marie Sanders of South Bend; a son, Jim Sanders (Sandy) of South Bend; a grand-daughter, Dena Marie Sanders of South Bend; a grandson, James T Sanders of Phoenix, Ariz., Thomas John Sanders (Rebecca) of South Bend; a grandson, John E. Sanders of Nashville, Tenn.; a great-granddaughter, Kelsey Sanders of South Bend; and a future great-grandson, Thomas Edward Sanders. She is also survived by 28 nieces and nephews; a close friend she considers a grandson, Tim Vargo of South Bend; a sister-in-law, Jessie (Bert) Baysinger; and by three brothers-in-law, Sandy, Bill and Ken (Sharon) Sanders.

Before she married, she enjoyed working at South Bend Toy Manufacturing. While working at Al's Diner she met her future husband. After her marriage, she stayed home and enjoyed being a housewife and mother. Cooking was her favorite time, especially trying new ideas. In later years, she and her husband enjoyed traveling and attending his World War II Army 13th Air Force 316th Signal Company Wing Reunion, where she made many new friends. During the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, she enjoyed traveling in the camper with her husband and daughter. In later years, she and her husband enjoyed traveling alone.

Over the years, she enjoyed having many animals. The past 12 years, her German shepherd Tippy was her pride and joy. A few years ago, she got a mix German shepherd called C.K., which she cared for very much. O.K. became a constant companion after losing Tippy. Dorothy was baptized and raised in Emmanuel Methodist Church. She had tremendous faith, even until the end. She was a very special and caring person with many friends. When her nieces and nephews were younger, she enjoyed having them at her house. She really enjoyed the picnics in the summer time with her family and friends. Dorothy was always giving to charities. The two she always sent something to was Hospice and Pet Refuge.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today, July 10, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. Funeral services for Dorothy will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 11, in the funeral home, with burial to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, South Bend. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437; or to Pet Refuge, 2300 W. 6th St., Mishawaka, IN 46544. 

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

02/17/2024 EJS