Merrill Glade Sanders

Merrill Glade Sanders passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at the age of 72.  He was born February 23, 1948 to Glade and Erma Lucy Garrett Sanders.  He was the youngest of four children. Merrill was a lifelong resident of Nephi, he grew up working at the family business, Garrett Honda.  He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England States under Mission Presidents Paul H. Dunn and Boyd K. Packer.  While attending Rick's College in Rexburg, ID he met the love of his life, Deborah Lee Kramer.  Merrill knew it was love at first site and later married Deborah in the Manti Temple on February 5, 1972.

Merrill had a love for baseball that started at a very young age.  He shared that love not only with his children, but with countless others.  For many years he coached the Merchants baseball team in the Nephi Little League.  He never forgot a name or a face of any of the kids that he coached over the years.

Merrill loved supporting his kids and later his grandkids in anything and everything that they did.  He could always be found in the stands cheering them on with a smile on his face.  He loved spending his free time with his family.  Annual trips to Las Vegas to attend the National Finals Rodeo, quick holiday weekends in Mesquite, NV, or trips around the Nebo loop were among some of his favorite pastimes.

Merrill worked alongside his father and brother for over 50 years at Garrett Honda.  With a love for Honda like no other, working in the family business allowed him to travel across the country going after motorcycles and four wheelers.  He loved every minute of it.  Some of his favorite times were spent riding his Honda Goldwing with Debbie or one of the kids riding on the back.  He had a laid-back personality that made it easy for customers to stop by the shop to swap stories or have some penny candy.

Merrill served the community as a member of the Nephi Lions Club, and a volunteer on the Nephi Fire Department for many years.  His favorite time of year was the Ute Stampede and he loved serving at the Chuck Wagon Breakfast.

Merrill is survived by his wife Debbie, their children, Troy (Jennifer) Sanders of Grantsville, Tena (Warren) Pickens of Boonville, MO, Krista (Kris) Sanders-Ardohain and Korry Sanders of Nephi.  11 grandchildren: Kalli, Izaiah, Brielle, and Sadie Sanders, Ashlee, Jake, Cole, and Luke Pickens, and Kade, Kaiya, and Kort Ardohain; siblings: Kirk Sanders of Nephi, Linda (Robert) Murdock of Rupert, ID, and Ileen Sanders of Nephi.

Preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Robert and Virginia Kramer, and sister-in-law Betty Sanders.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home.  A small family viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with a family service shortly after at the Anderson Funeral Home.  Interment will be held at the Nephi Vine Bluff Cemetery following the service.

A special Thanks to the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at Central Valley Medical Center and Central Valley Home Health for the wonderful care they have shown.

We will be following all CDC and Utah state health guidelines.  Please wear a mask.