Shirley Sanders

Shirley Sanders, 82, of Odin passed away surrounded by the love of her family Saturday, January 21, 2023. She was born on August 6, 1940, the daughter of Thomas and Elva (Kinder) McNelly in Gale, Illinois. She married Richard H. Rudolph, three children were born to this union, and he preceded her in death on November 23, 2014. She married Leonard D. Sanders and he survives her in Odin.

Along with her husband, Leonard “Dean” Sanders, Shirley is survived by her sons, Gary (Leah) Rudolph of Sandoval, and Mark (Theresa) Rudolph of Junction City; her daughter Debbie Bosler (Keith Callender) of Odin; grandchildren Shane, William, Davy, Brandon, Zachary, and Tressa; great-grandchildren, Brenden, Henry, Liam, Skyler, Quinn, Mila, and Logan; sisters, Bea “B” Killman of Florida, and Wilma Burchum of Selma, Alabama.

Along with her first husband, Richard Rudolph, Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Elva McNelly; her sisters, Dorothy Thompson, Jean Duncan, Stella Coleman; her brothers, Mike McNelly, Pat McNelly, Harold McNelly, and Joe McNelly; and her grandson, Michael Mansker.

Shirley was owner, operator of Sanders-Rohr Ambulance Service for over 20 years, earning her place in the Who’s Who’s book for ambulances. She had great athletic abilities, enjoying and excelling as a competitive bowler, and she was an amazing asset to her softball team serving as catcher. Shirley liked her time spent outdoors, horse back riding and camping at Coles Creek making memories with family and friends. She loved to cheer on her favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals from the comfort of her home. She had many loyal friendships and looked forward to her monthly Crazy 8 Card Club on Thursday. Shirley was the best grandma, proud to attend all her grandchildren’s activities and support them any way she could, maybe even finding a chance to brag on them. Shirley will be deeply missed by all those that she knew and loved. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2023, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval with Pastor Larry Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Sandoval City Cemetery. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2023, and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home in Sandoval. Memorials may be made in Shirley’s honor to Alzheimer Association. Online condolences and memories of Shirley may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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