Clara L. Saunders

Clara L. Saunders, age 86, of Marion, died at 6:45 P.M. Sunday, May 13th at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin. Visitation for Mrs. Saunders was from 3:00-4:00 P.M. Sunday, May 20th, with the funeral service at 4:00 P.M. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion, with burial following in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Rev. Melva G. England officiated. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Mrs. Saunders was born September 18, 1914, in Williamson County to James Albert and Anna Elizabeth (Ozment) Travelstead. They preceded her in death. She married Melvin L. Saunders in Missouri on February 20, 1936. Mrs. Saunders taught in a one-room school. She later served as substitute teacher for Grades 1-8 in Marion Unit #2 for fifteen years. Following her husbands early retirement, they traveled throughout Texas, Florida and Arizona during the winters. He preceded her in death in February of 1985. Mrs. Saunders was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Marion, Lael Sunday School Class, Beta Sigma Phi, the Marion Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Hearts Helping Hearts. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, John & Linda Saunders of Chester; one daughter, Ann Dzengolewski of Marion; three grandchildren, Brian Dzengolewski of Lebanon, Beth Stewart of Tampa, Florida, and Scott Saunders of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred & Clyde Travelstead.