DU QUOIN - Robert Neal Sanders, 79, passed away at 11:15 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2013, at his residence. Robert had been a welder. He was of Pentecostal faith. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served for 22 years in the Air Force and retired as a Staff Sergeant in 1971. He was a member of VFW, Eagles and American Legion. He was born June 25, 1933, in Christopher, the son of Guy and Ada (Wallace) Sanders. He married Jo Ann Easley on Oct. 15, 1959, in Oklahoma, and she preceded him in death July 15, 1994. He is survived by his significant other, June Ralston of Du Quoin; two sons, Danney Findley and fiancée, Tammy, of Cape Coral, Fla., and David Sanders and fiancée, Cherie, of Du Quoin; three daughters, Donna McPheron and fiancé, Sam, of Jackson, Tenn., Diana Melvin and husband, Vernon, of Du Quoin and Doreen Eggemeyer of Walsh; one brother, Lester Sanders of Johnston City; and 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers, Loren Sanders and Sylvester Sanders and two grandchildren, Jamie Marie Eggemeyer and Ryan Ray Findley. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 22, in Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin. Burial will be at a later date at Zeigler Cemetery, with military graveside rites being conducted. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home. For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on April 20, 2013