James Edward Sanders

Middletown...James Edward Sanders, 73, longtime Middletown area resident, passed away Sunday evening at Americare Nursing Home in New Castle after a brief illness.Jim was born in Muncie, November 4, 1930, the son of Marcel and Harriet Richey Sanders.He retired from the Connecticut Department of Corrections in 1989 after 31 years of service. He was a Lieutenant in the Department of Transportation and recieved Metal of Honor in Correctional Service. He was the highest decorated officer within the department.He was a Republican comitteeman and was a member of the Sulphur Spring Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the American Legion Post 333 of Hagerstown, the Middletown Lions Club, Henry County Sheriff's Merit Board, and was a Korean Veteran of the US Navy.He was an avid Shenandoah Athletic booster for all sports and seldom missed any games.Survivors include: 3 sons: James S. Sanders (Zenaida) of Bufort, NC, Edmund D. Sanders (Karen Flowers-Sanders) of Charlotte, NC and Keith J. Sanders of Middletown, 1 daughter: Barbara Blancet (Tony) of Oak Grove, CA, 1 grandchild, 4 brothers: William (Roberta) of New Castle, Marcel (Susan) of Hagerstown, Monte (Jill) of New Castle, and Floyd Sanders of Hagerstown, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a tremendous amount of friends.Preceded in death by his wife: Maria, 1 daughter: Theresa Sanders, and 2 sisters: Barbara Fisher and Marjorie Kidd.Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning at 10:00 am at the Sulphur Springs United Church of Christ with Pastor Jim Behrendt officiating.Burial will follow at Miller Cemetery in Middletown.Friends may call at the Ballard and Sons Funeral Home, 118 South 5th, Middletown, on Wednesday from 4-8 PM with Masonic Services held at 8:00 PM.Memorial contributions may be made to the Shenandoah High School Athletic Department.Online Guestbook is available at: www.ballardandsons.com