Elder Bobby Lee Sanders, Sr.

Elder Bobby Lee Sanders, Sr., 70, of Marion, passed away at 1:50 pm on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Marion. He was born in Berrien Springs, Michigan, on June 4, 1955, to Troy and Juanita (Sisson) Sanders. On February 9, 2012, he married Nechelle Applewhite. Bobby graduated from Marion High School and worked as a Juvenile Officer with Grant County Juvenile Center, retiring in 2020. He was a member of Living Water Apostolic Church, where he served as an elder and enjoyed singing. Bobby was also a basketball referee for the Boys Club and the YMCA. He was known for his great cooking skills at church and at home. He also had a love for bike riding. Bobby was a people-person who knew many in the community. He helped start Help From Above Ministries in Marion, which supported the homeless and families in Grant County. He was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and friend, affectionately known as "Big Bob".  Bobby's legacy of kindness, community service, and love will be remembered by all who knew him.  He dearly loved all of his grandchildren and never favored one over the other. To every grandparent, there is something special, though, when the first grandchildren come into the world. In his words, he said, "I love all my grandchildren, but I was proud of my firstborn granddaughter, Alexis Sanders, and firstborn grandson, Zavier Sanders." Bobby is survived by his wife, Nechelle Sanders of Marion; sons, Bobby Sanders, Jr., Demitrius (Teresa) Sanders, Eyzaac Sanders, and Zachariah Sanders; daughters, Precious Sanders, Bobbie Jean Pheiffer, and Tabatha Pheiffer; step-children, Anthony (Alecia) Applewhite, Kimberly Greer, April Greer, and Leon Greer; 21 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, George Sanders; sisters, Anna Joseph, Evelyn (Broderick) Orsborn, and Dorothy Carter; and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Troy Sanders; mother, Juanita Sanders; grandsons, Steffen Lamont Bobson, Jr., and Jayzon Sanders; great-grandson, Royal Patton; sisters, Jimmie Christine Thomas and Dianne Flowers; and brothers, John Thomas, Earl Sisson, Floyd Thomas, Troy Sanders, Jr., and Michael Sanders, Sr. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Living Water Apostolic Church, 732 S. Pennsylvania, Marion, IN. Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Bobby's life will begin at 11:00 am with Suffragan Bishop Robert Morrell officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to Parkinson's Awareness Association of Central Indiana, P.O. Box 19575, Indianapolis, IN 46219. Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN. Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.