Stephen "Steve" Sanderson

Stephen “Steve” Sanderson of Swanton, Ohio passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and love in Westerville, Ohio on October 3, 2024.

 Steve was born in Toledo in 1952 to Mary Lou and Hugh Sanderson. He graduated from Evergreen High School in 1970. He then worked hard for many years to provide for his family, though his great love was being a Dad and later, a Grandpa. He referred to his daughters and grandchildren as his “biggest blessings in this life.”

 Steve came from a family of fiddlers and although he claimed, “there wasn’t a musical bone in (his) body,” he was a connoisseur of many genres of music; his favorite musicians were CCR, The Eagles and John Hartford. He would have insisted he was not an artist either, but he created many unique and personalized gifts for his family and loved ones. Steve had a kind and generous spirit and a fun-loving personality, and was always quick with a joke, riddle or the world’s shortest poem. His children and grandchildren proudly carry on his legacy of dad jokes and riddles.

 He had a yearly membership to the National Threshers Association, and was mechanically inclined, knowing all about makes and models of vehicles. Steve spent much of his early life enjoying rides on his motorcycles but retired the bike once his girls were born so that he could be around to provide for them. He excitedly picked it up again in his twilight years and was proud to be the 2017 Abate Bike Raffle Winner of a Harley Davidson motorcycle and trailer.

 Steve was a Ford enthusiast who drove several different Ford Rangers from the late 1980s until 2023. He was an avid NASCAR fan – of Ford cars, of course (First On Race Day!) Steve’s family will always remember watching The Ohio State Buckeyes games with him and he leaves the love of football to his daughters and grandchildren. 

 He leaves a legacy of readers, tinkerers and free thinkers. Steve was Sarah and Myra’s Daddy; Samuel, Levi and Abby’s Grandpa and Ryan and Jason’s father-in-law. He is also survived by his sisters Janice Earle, and Kay (Wayne) Putnam, and many nieces and nephews. Steve is additionally survived by his wife, Connie, with whom he shared his life. He is preceded in death by his father Hugh, mother Mary Lou, brother Ross, father-in-law Hal Stine and brothers-in-law Loyd Earle and Joe McMillin.

 His daughters would like to extend a special and heartfelt thanks on Steve’s behalf to Feridean Commons and their amazing staff who became a second family to them all. A second profound thank you to Capital City Hospice who surrounded Steve and the girls with support, love and kindness. We are so very grateful for both these organizations and their sincere care for us and Dad.

 A private service will be scheduled by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local public library in Steve’s name. He wholeheartedly believed that "books are the world's greatest gift," as they offer the chance to explore anywhere, learn anything, and embark on the greatest adventures.