Wade Theodore "Ted" Sanders, 91, of Collinsville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his residence on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Ted was born on May 31, 1934, in Ellington, Missouri, to the late Wade H. and Delphia M. Sanders. A proud Collinsville High School graduate, he went on to attend St. Louis Community College before beginning a longtime career as a draftsman for the college.

Ted was a US Army veteran, a devoted member of St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville, and an active participant in the Midwest Wood Carvers. A man who cherished the outdoors, he loved camping and fishing, but his greatest joy was always the time spent with his family.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris J. (nee Lochmann) Sanders; his second wife, Audrey L. (nee Milam) Sanders; and one grandchild, Ginger.

Ted is survived by his two sons, Terry (Sandra) Sanders of Millstadt, IL, and Todd (Becky Clark) Sanders of Collinsville, IL; three grandchildren, Renee Sanders, Raymond Dressler, and Jessica Hankammer; and four great-grandchildren, Leo Hankammer, Gracelyn Hankammer, Henry Sanders, and Talya Sanders; and a sister, Sally Taylor of Collinsville, IL.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., officiated by Rev. Jenn Sowell. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery in Collinsville, IL.

Memorials are suggested to St. John United Church of Christ and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.