Mr. Larry L. Sanders, 71, of Mentone, passed away on Saturday morning, January 17, 2015 at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester. Born in Fulton County on January 3, 1944, Larry Lin Sanders was a treasured son of Ervin Jay and Josephine E. Utter Sanders. Growing up in Richland Township he shared his childhood with two sisters, Connie and Kay, and a brother Marvin. During his high school years, he attended Richland Center, then his senior year transferred to Rochester High School. Larry excelled in sports pitching baseball, and playing forward/guard for the Zebra basketball team. In the spring of 1962, Larry sailed over the high jump bar, shattering the RHS and Fulton County record at 6' 1". Later Larry ventured westward and attended Western New Mexico University. He continued his formal education at Arizona State. Patriotism beckoned and Larry answered the call serving our country with the United States Army during the Vietnam war. On September 8, 1979, in Bryant, Larry married the love of his life Marjorie Welling Sanders. Together they shared over 35 1/2 years of life's adventures. From their union came three beautiful daughters. The family tree continued to grow with the arrival of two precious granddaughters. As a union plumber and pipefitter, Larry was a member of locals #172 and #597. Over the years he was a licensed plumbing contractor and served Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation as maintenance director for more than a decade, retiring in 2009. Larry enjoyed fishing. He along with accomplice Dave Burkett enjoyed many fishing expeditions to the pristine lakes of Minnesota. Hitting the links, Tom Sawyer was seated next to him in their golf cart. Playing rounds on local courses was fun. Providing the greatest challenges were the courses they visited during excursions to Las Vegas. Each autumn, as an arm chair quarterback, Larry was locked on to Notre Dame football. Living in a house divided he occasionally cheered for Indiana University and Purdue, expressing loyalty for his daughters who attended the respective schools. There were many spirited croquet competitions hosted in either his or grandma's backyard. Known as the family handyman, Larry could fix literally anything. A man of perpetual motion he was always ready to generously share his talents with family and friends. From his woodshop located in the garage, Larry created and built many gifts for his family---from rocking horses, a rocking crib to benches; if they dreamed it, he built it. Left to cherish Larry's memory are is wife Marj, at home; three daughters: Jennifer Lynn Manns and husband Charles of Ossian, Kristen Leigh Sanders and Kelly Marie Sanders, both of Atlanta, GA; two granddaughters: Kate Josephine Manns, age 5, and Lila Marie Manns, age 3; two sisters: Connie Walters and husband Jim, Kay Davis and husband Marvin, all of Rochester; a brother, Marvin Sanders of Ruidosa, NM; his mother, Josephine Sanders of Rochester; five sisters-in-law: Cathy Bettinger and husband Mike, Geri Mestemaker and husband Mark, Judy Wellman and husband Roger, Joanne Alig and husband Greg, Linda Wellman and husband Kevin; three brothers-in-law: Robert "Bob" Welling and wife Rose, David Welling and wife Colleen and Paul Welling and wife Mary; the best mother-in-law he ever had, Mary Ellen Welling. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Preceding him in death are his father Ervin Jay Sanders on February 28, 2000, father-in-law Marcel Welling on July 9, 2012, and a sister-in-law Patsy Sanders. Rev. Mike Smith will officiate services. Burial will follow in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Fulton County Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Military Rites Team.