Obituary of Henry W. Sander

Henry W. Sander, 78, of Meredith, passed away Tuesday evening, January 26, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with cancer. Born on May 30, 1937 in Weeping Water, Nebraska, he was the son of the late Wilhelm and Frieda (Werner) Sander. He graduated in 1955 from South Kortright Central School and went on from there to receive his Associates Degree in Diesel Mechanics from Bailey Technical Institute of Diesel Engineering in St. Louis, MO. Henry was married for over 57 years to the love of his life, Freda McMullen Sander on October 5, 1958 in Oneonta. Henry was a talented mechanic that was often turned to by his peers in diagnosing mechanical problems and could resolve them by just listening. Early in his career he was employed by the D&H Railroad working on large diesel locomotive engines. He then worked for the next thirty years at several automotive dealerships as mechanic and service manager, including Delhi Motors (where he earned many Chrysler Master Technician Awards) and Wickham's, both of Delhi. He then went on to drive tractor trailer for Kerr Motor Lines and finally retiring from Mountainside Dairy as Transportation and Distribution Manager. His entire life he was actively involved in and worked on the family dairy farm in West Kortright that was the pride of his parents. Henry enjoyed antique cars and tractors. He enjoyed motorsports and early in his life raced cars himself. He enjoyed making homemade elderberry wine and was a talented cook famous for his clam chowder. Henry was instrumental in the preservation of the West Kortright Church - today known as the West Kortright Center. Above all else, Henry was a loving Christian devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, supportive father and a proud grand and great-grandfather. Besides his wife Freda, Henry is survived by his children: Fred (Kathy) Sander of Delhi, Colleen (Mark) Weddig of Pittsville, WI and Henry (Heather) Sander, Jr. of East Meredith; grandchildren: Kristina (Christopher) Kasarjian of Charleston, SC, Michael (Jaimie) Sander of Colonie, Kyle (Mariana) Sander of Rotterdam, SSgt Ian (Heather) Merritt, USMC, of Oceanside, CA, Abigail Sander of East Meredith and Andrew Sander of East Meredith, great-grandchildren: Dylan, Avery, Anna and Mia; sister: Frieda (Frank) Snyder of Delhi; sister-in-law: Irene Sander of Oneonta; special cousin: Elsbeth Hellmann of Walden, NY and several cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. Henry was predeceased by his brothers: Donald Sander and Wilhelm Sander; and a sister-in-law: Helen Sander. Friends and relatives are invited to call on the family from 3-7PM on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at MacArthur Funeral Home, 131 Main Street, Delhi. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 2PM on Sunday, February 7 at the West Kortright Center, 49 West Kortright Church Road, East Meredith, with the Rev. Carol Wilson, Rev. John Priest and Rev. Bert More co-officiating. Family asks in lieu of flowers that contributions in memory of Henry may be made to Catskill Area Hospice, Oneonta or St. Jude's Children's Hospital for Cancer Research.