George Sanders, age 96 of Poplar passed away on July 28, 2024 at the Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point, MT.
George was born on January 22, 1928 in Shelbyville, Indiana. He was the son of William and Addie Mae (Hovermale) Sanders. He spent his childhood years in his hometown south of Indianapolis in the Hoosier State.
George served his country proud in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged on February 5, 1957.
George worked for Chrysler Corporation, Admiral and Blair doing assembly work and building furniture; tax preparation, restaurant work and management; he had mastered many skills in his lifetime that included carpentry and construction, painting, woodwork. In Shelbyville he also helped a cousin by driving his ice cream truck around the neighborhood. In Poplar, he worked at Tandy’s Store and Poplar Museum. He frequently helped his sister’s families with chores, yard work, child care and errands when needed.
George did not have any brothers and he enjoyed spending time with his many male first cousins, the McClammy’s, Daniel, Willis, John Q, James (Jim), George, and William (Tally) and their sisters, Dulcie and Mary. Some of their children and grandchildren frequently visited and travelled with George.
George loved spending time with his family and would lend a hand to help his sisters and mother or catch a neighbor or friend needing an extra hand. He had a compassionate heart and gave food to our community disadvantaged. His charismatic and positive personality were enjoyed and appreciated by the communities he lived in Montana, southern California, and Indiana.
George was coined as the “family Daddy” by all his family and extended family for reaching out and guiding his generations of nieces and nephews. He liked playing cards, entertaining little people in the family, enjoyed church, watching news on TV, movies, visiting with people. George cared for his mother until her passing, He later went to Hawaii with relatives and spend winters in California with his niece, Rayola and grandnephew, Michael. He enjoyed hearing stories from the children about their school activities and sports.
George is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters: Patricia Hughes, Gilda Stephens and Iola Hibl; special nephews, Morgan L. and Greg Hendrickson, and Bernard Eder; special grand nieces, Bertha Desjarlais; Scarlett Culbertson. He is preceded in death by all his first cousins in the McClammy family as well as their parents, Phillippena and William McClammy.
He is survived by his son, Michael Sanders; and special nephews, Brent (Kathy) Wilkins, George (Brenda) Eder, Keifer Eder, and Kevin Hendrickson. His special nieces, Rayola Eder and Karen Browning. His special grand nephews, Matthew Brown; Nolan and Morgan Hendrickson; Curtis Eder; Michael D. Eder; Mark (Samantha) Eder; Michael J. and Danny Eder. His special grand nieces, Dazette Courchene; Lenaya, Alyssa Wilkins, Eden Desjarlais, children of Brent and Irene Wilkins; Camden Hendrickson, Patricia Eder (Tracey) Destiny, Sunni, Falloni and Noah; Georgie (Greg) Gourneau, and Jamie (Alexander) Culbertson.
He lived on to see the next generation of special great grand children, Destiny (Maxwell Eagle) Eder and Westyn and Emrys; Sunny Neal and children Antonio, Amelia, Annalia; Ezekiel Gourneau; Houston Eder; Alexis, Bella, and baby Alex Culbertson; Amara Peterson; Rosalie, Liam, and Castiel Eder. Each family member was important and special to George.
George’s extended families are Blount; McClammy; Kirn; Lovitt; Buckles; Lux; Perry; Foote; Birthmark; Hendrickson; Wilkins; Eder; Morsette; White Eagle. If we have missed anyone, we apologize as we have tried to include everyone.
A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 3 at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.