Mary Jane Sanders

Mary Jane (Gittings) Sanders, 85, of Unionville, MO, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.
Mary was the youngest daughter of Walter and Ruth (Klinginsmith) Gittings and was born August 24, 1926 near Lucerne, MO. She attended the rural schools in Putnam and Sullivan counties, graduating from Newtown High School in 1945. After working with Sheaffer Pen Co. in Ft. Madison, IA, in 1946, she began teaching in the rural school system and ended her career at the Junior High School in Unionville. She received her BA degree in 1969 and MA in 1975. In May 1992, Mary retired, having taught 42 years in Missouri and two years in Iowa.
Mary was united in marriage to Gerald Thomas Sanders on December 31, 1950, who preceded her in death on February 9, 1978. Mary was also preceded in death by two daughters, Jane Ellen in 1956 and Sharon Ann in 1958, her parents, sisters Wilma Dewine, Iva Hoskin and Vivian Brookhiser and brother, Guy.
Mary is survived by her son, Larry Alan Sanders of Valencia, CA, and a granddaughter, Erica Lynn Sanders of New Baltimore, MI.
Mary loved to travel and had gone to Europe three times, Africa twice, as well as Asia, Australia, New Zealand & Fiji, besides all 50 states. Her most memorable trip was to the Holy Land in November of 1992. Her hobbies included cross-word puzzles, cooking and baking (especially cookies and candy at the holidays), her computer and volunteer work, such as helping at the PC Café and Resource Center and the Church with funeral dinners. Mary was a member of the First Christian Church in Unionville since 1956, Delta Kappa Gamma, BPW, Rebekah Lodge, Retired Teachers and the Red Hat Ladies Society.
Funeral services for Mary, were held at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Mary’s pallbearers were the special group of gentlemen who ate breakfast with her for years at the East End Café. The service was led by Pastor Gene Weece and “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “Go Rest High on that Mountain,” and “Precious Memories” were the musical selections. Interment followed at the Unionville Cemetery.
Memorials in her honor, in lieu of flowers are suggested to the PC Café and Resource Center or the Unionville First Christian Church and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.