Charlene Sanders

Charlene J. Sanders, 92, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 11:54 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Stillwater Senior Living in Edwardsville. Her life on Earth has ended. She was welcomed into Heaven and reunited in the waiting arms of her beloved husband and other loved ones who have gone before her.

Born February 27,1933, in Pulaski, Illinois, a daughter of the late Fred and Nellie (Sharp) Boger. She married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Sanders on May 23, 1953, at Second Baptist Church in Granite City. Bob preceded her in death on November 2, 2017. They purchased their only home just a block from the church, raising their family and serving their church faithfully. Charlene was a lifelong, faithful, and dedicated member of Second Baptist Church. There she served her Savior in leading children’s choirs, teaching Sunday School classes and Mission Friends, and coordinating funeral meals for more than 60 years. She followed her mother’s footsteps in Women’s Missionary Union activities. The women’s sewing group made clothing that has been distributed on three different continents. At the time of her passing she was the longest living member of the church. She spent her life getting to know her Lord Jesus Christ and was at peace with the plan He had for her life.

Charlene was employed at General Steel Industries and First National Bank Granite City prior to the birth of her children. Together, Bob and Charlene operated a rental business in Granite City for more than fifty years. This allowed Charlene to be a stay-at-home Mom where she was active in all her children’s activities. She was always there to support her children in their endeavors whether it was making food, providing cold drinks for friends and teachers, baking her famous brownies, or assisting with their activities. She was always there at the concerts, sporting events, fund raisers, and community activities in which they were involved.

Bob and Charlene loved to travel. They had the distinction of having visited all fifty states, Canada and Mexico. Family road trips were important to them. In later years, they enjoyed cruising with relatives and friends. Hawaii and Alaska were two highlights of their cruise excursions. Time spent enjoying Silver Dollar City and Branson was a highlight of the family’s yearly vacations. In their retirement years, they loved spending winters in Florida where they again made lifelong friends who felt like family.

Charlene’s greatest source of pride, purpose, and light in her life on Earth was her children and grandchildren. In her final life plan, her hope was that her legacy of love would be continued by her children and grandchildren for the rest of their years. She concluded her plan with the note that when it was their time to be welcomed into Heaven, she would be there with her husband waiting with open arms.

She is survived by four children and spouses, Nancy (Marty) LeVault of Maryville, Norman (Rick Bierschwal) Sanders of Granite City, Nora (Chuck) Cobb of Granite City and Neda (Dale) Banach of Scheller; five grandchildren and spouses, Scott (Debbie) LeVault, Tammy (Dr. Tibor) Kopjas, Kyle (Lindsay) Cobb, Dalton (Kelsey Ray) Banach, and Dillon (Maddie Miller) Banach; seven great grandchildren, Brooke (Brian) Nemsky, Lindsay LeVault, Paige Tulacro, Morgan Tulacro, Peighton Duff, Ali Cobb, Christopher Pieper, and Landon Cobb, one great great grandchild Becca Nemsky; one sister-in-law, Jeanie Boger; nieces and nephews; other extended family and many friends. In addition to her beloved husband of 64 years and parents, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Gertrude Boger; two infant sons, David and Richard Sanders; a grandson, Adam Cobb; two brothers, Melbourne Boger and Robert Boger, two sisters-in-law, Marjorie Boger and Betty Morthland, a brother-in-law, James Morthland, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Helen Sanders.

In celebration of her life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Visitation will continue at Second Baptist Church, 2100 Illinois Avenue in Granite City on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Chris Sedabres officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon. Memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church or Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.irwinchapel.com.