Obituary of Allen Mark Sanders
Allen Mark Sanders, formerly of Palmer, passed away on January 21, 2021 at Quaboag on the Common in West Brookfield surrounded by his family. Allen was 84 years old when he suffered a stroke caused by complications from the Covid-19 Virus. Allen or "Ike" as many called him, was born on May 24, 1936 in Philip, South Dakota. A True Cowboy, Ike grew up and worked on the family ranch in Enning. There he grew to love riding the bucking bulls and horses in the rodeos until enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1954.
Sanders served 35 full and fierce years in the Air Force. He garnered the nickname "Sandy" in the service and retired as a Master Sergeant. His tenure instilled in him a love of airplanes and of working on cars. Sandy's hobbies also included camping, watching and listening to Western movies and music, and enjoying his Maine Coon Cats, Katrina and Spunky.
Allen is survived by his beloved wife of 61 blessed years, Carole O. Sanders of Palmer. He is remembered by his living siblings, brother Mr. and Mrs. Ronald (Butch) Sanders and his sister, Diane Greenwaldt. Allen leaves behind his daughter Cheryl Lynne Papini of Belchertown, his daughter and son-in-law Candyce and Jesse Lovern, Sr. of Belchertown and his son and daughter-in-law Mark and Joy Schrader of Oklahoma. He will be missed dearly by his 8 grandchildren as follows: Tim Lovern, Landon Mann, Jesse Lovern, Jr., Laura Mann, Samantha Bachand, Courtney Sherwood, Miranda Hoover and Tata Renfroe. Thirteen Great Grandchildren will also live in his legacy. He was predeceased by his twin sister Arlene Pruess and 2 brothers Norman Sanders and Kenneth Sanders.
Walk through visitation will be on Monday, January 25th from 4-7pm at Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. All other services are private. Gone but not forgotten, may Allen's memory live on in our hearts, hearts of kindness, passion and most of all courage. For as put by John Wayne, courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. Rest in peace Master Sergeant, Forever the Real McCoy.
