Born Aug. 18, 1938, in Arlington, Vt., he was the son of the late Herman N. and Clara Inez (Bentley) Saunders.
Ron was educated in Rupert, Vt., and Salem. Ron was a dairy farmer for Rice Farms in Bennington, Vt., and then Lathrop Farms in Shushan. He went on to work for J.K. Adams in Dorset, Vt., and also at Moore’s Garage in Granville. He then worked for Wooden Indian Corp. in Manchester for 19 years before becoming a self-employed carpenter from 1993 until the present.
Ron’s number-one special interest was deer hunting. He also enjoyed camping, car racing, card playing, especially poker. Another interest Ron had was sugaring and he loved to dance. Ron enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was an active member of the Modern Woodmen of America in Wells, Vt., where he enjoyed working bingo.
Ron is survived by his wife of 50 years, Helen Bruso Saunders, whom he married Aug. 25, 1958; his children, Brenda Myer and her husband, Philip, of Granville, Wanda Sheldon and her husband, David, of Manchester Center, Vt., Lindy Decker and her husband Jeff of Inverness, Fla., Anna Rumrill and her husband, Allen, of Hebron, Patricia Saunders of Wallingford, Vt., Nancy Greene and her husband, Vince, of Hebron, Eugene Saunders and his companion, Samantha Stone, of Manchester, Brian Saunders and his wife, Kim, of Grove City, Pa., and Brad Saunders and his companion, Meghan Price, of Hebron. Ron is also survived by a special friend whom he considered a brother, Jimmy Fisher of Wells, Vt. There are three other special friends whom Ron adored, Joyce Beebe, Neva Jaworski and Vicky Campbell, all of Hebron. Ron is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Verna Hoyt and her husband, Ralph, of Rupert, Vt., Veronica Saville and her husband, Butch, of Kingsbury, Vona Wood (late Bill) of Hebron, Vicky Fifield and her husband, Howard, of Salem, Douglas Saunders and his wife, Sue, of Bennington, Vt., James Saunders and his wife, Jeanette, of Troy, Kenneth Saunders and his companion, Pam Williams, of Rupert, Vt., Timothy Saunders of Springfield, Vt., and Kevin Saunders of Morrisville, Vt. He is also survived by his sister-in-laws, Margaret Saunders of Salem, Susan Saunders of Rupert, Vt., and Carol Jean Saunders of Hebron as well as 25 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Ron was also predeceased by his brothers, Theodore Saunders and Lyndus Saunders; an aunt, Marjorie Mudgett; and his uncles, Theodore, Norman and Richard Bentley.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside funeral service at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, in the new section of Evergreen Cemetery in Salem with the Rev. Mary Beth Hutchinson officiating.
Memorial contributions in memory of Ron may be made to the Modern Woodmen of America, P.O. Box 648, Wells, Vt. 05774 or the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, N.Y. 12865
To share a memory of Ron, please visit www.mcclellanfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the McClellan Funeral Service, 19 East Broadway, Salem, N.Y. 518-854-3555.
