Joseph Christopher SandersJoseph Christopher Sanders, 95, passed away on July 12, 2017. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Mt. Mariah United Methodist Church in Claiborne Parish, LA. Rev. Jean Foreman Sanders of First United Methodist Church of Opelousas, LA and Rev. Perry Anderson of Mt. Mariah United Methodist Church will officiate the church services. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.Joe was a veteran, avid gardener, school teacher, bird watcher and nature lover. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during WWII and the Marine Reserves during the Korean War. He was a teacher in Kansas and Athens, LA schools.Joe was born on September 14, 1921 to Christopher C. Sanders and Mattie Mae Johnson of Arcadia. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Karen Sanders, siblings, Ruth Sanders, John W. Sanders, Claudie Shaffer, and Era Methvin, and daughter-in-law, Linda Sanders. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved and devoted wife of 66 years, Wilma Stangeland Sanders; sister, Elouise Sanders; daughter, Sherri Hogan and husband, Kirk; sons, David Sanders and wife, Beverly and Christopher Sanders and wife, Jean; grandchildren, Benjamin Sanders, Grace Hogan Houle, and Katherine Hogan; great-grandson, Chase Houle; as well as numerous other family members and friends.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Elouise Sanders, c/o Tonya LeMoine, 1189 Highway 795, Gibsland, LA 71028.