John O. Sanderson

Judge John O. Sanderson of Emporia, died on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia.  He was 85.

John was born on August 2, 1938, in Osceola, Iowa, the son of Earl and Eleanore LeHew Sanderson.  He married Joann Ashbacher on December 2, 1962, in Indianola, Iowa.  She survives at home.

Survivors include: wife, Joann Sanderson of Emporia; son, Christopher Sanderson of Emporia; daughter, Julie (Rick) Hodges of Council Grove; granddaughters Allison and Abigail Hodges both of Manhattan.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Florence Crow and Caroline Beck.

John graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas.  He was an Attorney with Atherton, Hurt and Sanderson from 1973 to 1988.  He served as the Lyon County District Court Judge from 1988 to 2007.  John served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1970 including deployments to Northern Alaska, Okinawa, and Vietnam.  He served 20 years in the Army reserves, retiring as a Colonel.  He was a member of Ball-McColm Post #5 American Legion for 50 plus years where he held several positions including Post 5 Commander and State Adjutant.  He was a member of Outlook Club and a former member of Kiwanis.  He served on many boards and committees in the Emporia Community as well as a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Cremation has taken place with a Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, Emporia.  Inurnment with Military honors will take place at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Manhattan, Kansas.  Visitation will be Tuesday night from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Gufler Mansion.  Memorial contributions to Ball-McColm Post #5 or the First United Methodist Church can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.