THOMAS SAUNDERS OBITUARY

April 21, 2013 ELKHART - Thomas Lowell Saunders died Sunday, April 21st, 2013, at the Elkhart General Hospital after a long illness. He was surrounded by his companion, Elaine Conley of Elkhart, IN, and his sister, Martha Swathwood, and Melba Stole, also from Elkhart. He is survived by his two daughters, Toni Ruth (David) Drake, and their son, Jonathan, Celia Ann (Dean) Smith, and their children, Kelley Elizabeth Krinke, her son, Kingston, and Zachary Kincaid Smith, also of Albuquerque, NM.

Tom was born and raised in Elkhart. He was a star football and basketball player at Elkhart High School. Being inducted into the Elkhart Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 was truly one of highlights of his life.

Tom served in WW II in the Air Force. He married Mary Jane, his high school sweetheart, in a civil ceremony in 1945.

After the war he attended Hanover College and graduated with a degree in Education. He later received his Master's degree in Education from Ball State University. Tom began his teaching career in Kendallville, IN, then moving on to South Bend. There he taught at Studebaker Elementary School and Clay High School, where he taught and later became the Athletic Director. He retired in 1979. He then moved to Albuquerque in 1981. There he became head of Maintenance Department for the University of New Mexico. They returned to Elkhart in 1985 where he worked for the Kimberly Corporation. Tom was an avid wine maker. One of his greatest pleasures was sharing his latest vintage with friends and family. It gave him great pride and joy thoughout his retirement years. Tom also loved to golf, and of course there was never a football game he hadn't watched. Tom will also be missed at the Moose where every Saturday night he could be found dancing and socializing with his friends.

Friends may call one hour prior to the 2:00 pm memorial service on Saturday, April 26, 2013, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. To leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.chapelhillmemorial.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 24, 2013.

11/06/2022 EJS