Jon L. Saunders

He was born on March 14, 1934, in Ann Arbor, Mich., son of Edward and Dorothy (Stralo) Saunders. Jon was raised in Hancock and graduated from Hancock High School in 1952. He later attended Michigan Tech University.

On Aug. 24, 1981, Jon married Linda Davis in Jacksonville, Fla.

Jon served in the U.S. Navy for 37 years as a recruiter, retiring as a chief petty officer in October of 1993. He spent the majority of his military years in Florida.

In his younger years, Jon enjoyed fishing and skiing. He enjoyed doing crafts and often made aluminum airplanes out of cans. He was a talented musician.

Jon was a member of St. Anne’s Church and was Past Grand Knight of the Shawano, Wis., Knights of Columbus.

Among survivors are his children, Terry (Hildie) Saunders of Escanaba, Kaye Saunders of Hernando, Fla., Karen (Joe) Kezele of Ahmeek, Mich., Thomas (Gary ) Saunders of Columbus, Ohio, Robert (Pamela) Saunders of St. Charles, Mich., Jon (Mary) Saunders Jr. of Junction City, Wis.; stepchildren, Cathy Prottengeier of Puyallup, Wash., Kelly (Paul) Garcia of Lakeland, Ga., and Kim (Carlton) Covin of Jacksonville, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; siblings, Trudy (Gene) Austin, Beverly Hildebrand, Patty Reid, Merlyn Spiers, all of Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife Linda, he was preceded in death by his birth mother, Nydia Masten; son, Gregory Saunders; grandson, Paul Garcia; brothers, Jack Orella, Bill Masten and Floyd Masten; and sister, Ann Reaves.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Anne’s Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 4 p.m. with Rev. Fran DeGroot officiating. A meal will follow in the church hall.

Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jon’s name may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul Society.

A message of condolence may be directed to the Saunders family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Saunders family.