Bruce Richard Sander Obituary

Bruce R. Sander age 48, of DuPage Convalescent Center, formerly of Quincy; died Sunday, June 15, 2008 in Central of DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. Bruce had been a resident at DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton, IL for the past 12 1/2 years following an auto accident that resulted in a brain injury. He spent his day in a wheelchair, required a feeding tube and received 100 percent care was given to him by the outstanding medical and nursing staff at the Center. He accepted his disability with a smile and among the few words that he whispered were “thank you” making him a favorite with his caregivers.

Bruce was born February 1, 1960 in Quincy, a son of William Henry Sander, Jr. and Adeline M. Eling Sander.
He attended St. Peter Catholic Grade School and was a 1979 graduate of Quincy Senior High School. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Illinois. He worked at Sterling Pharmaceutical Co. in sales and he was pursuing a degree in education at Northern Illinois University.

He married Beth Plachaty on April 6, 1991 in Rock Island, IL and they lived in Aurora, IL. Bruce attended Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Aurora and they taught CCD classes there.

He was a former member of the Sheridan Swim and Diving Team. He was a member of the Quincy High School and University of Illinois Alumni Associations and the Knights of Columbus in Wheaton, IL . He loved the arts and was one of the “Friday Nighters” Quincy’s finest kids in arts, led by former Quincy artist Delores Hase. He carried his talent with him even after his accident, painting ceramics with a brush in his mouth with help from a volunteer. He spent one day a week with a volunteer form Donka Computer Center for Disabilities receiving e-mails and letters from family and friends.

Bruce is survived by a daughter, Chelse of Sarasota, FL and her mother; his parents, William and Adeline Sander, Jr. of Quincy; a brother, William Sander, III and his wife Jolanta of Evanston, IL; a sister Nancy Hacena and her husband Farid of Aurora, IL and Susan Sander of Quincy.
Two nieces, Nora and Sarah Hacena of Aurora, IL; uncles and aunts, Herman Schneidman of Sunset Home; Kathleen Schmitt and Joan McGee both of Quincy; Ruth and Jim Brown of Ocala, FL and Joanne and Richard Laake of Haysville, KS and many cousins also survive.

Bruce was preceded in death by a brother, Theodore Sander, grandparents, Bertha and William Sander, Sr, and Josephine and Henry Eling; a nephew Nicholas Sander; an aunt Venita Schneidman; and uncles George Schmitt and Auris McGee, Jr.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home by the Rev. Daniel Bergbower. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Duker & Haugh. The Knights of Columbus will conduct a service Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Catholic School, DuPage Convalescent Center or Donka Computer Center for Disabilities in Wheaton, IL. www.dukerandhaugh.com