Robert Sanders Robert Dean Sanders, 78, of Pickford, was a born salesman, friends said, who enjoyed his career, selling a wide variety of products over the years. Mr. Sanders died Monday, February 1, 2010, at Tendercare in Sault Ste. Marie.

He was born March 17, 1931, in Ansonia, Ohio, to Norman and Irene (nee Snyder) Sanders.

Mr. Sanders grew up in Ohio, where he was graduated from high school. He then served in the United States Navy.

He married Emogene Wisner December 22, 1951, in Union City, Indiana.

He truly enjoyed his work. The family lived in Ohio and Kentucky while Mr. Sanders worked selling home education courses, school fundraising kits, life insurance, and seed corn. For a time, they also grew tomatoes and corn. In 1995, they moved to Pickford, where he and his family made and sold lawn decorations and furniture from their home.

Mr. Sanders enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan.

He is survived by his wife, Emogene; three sons and their families, Robert “Gene” Sanders of Pickford, James Duane and Joyce Sanders of San Antonio, Texas, and David Charles Sanders of Pickford; two grandchildren and their families, Tonya Lee Ann Keaton and Jamie “Diana” and Terry Autrey, and eight greatgrandchildren, Justin, Ryan, Chaz, Jace, Gregory, Danielle Nadine, Lillian Grace, and Zane Luke. He is also survived by one sister and her family, Marilyn and Richard Burkhardt of Hamilton, Ohio, and three brothers and their families, Wayne and Joan Sanders of Columbia, Missouri, Roger Sanders of Dayton, Ohio, and Gene “Kent” and Karen Sanders of Liberty, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister-in-law, Annetta Sanders.

Services were Tuesday, February 9, at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. Visitation was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the funeral at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township.