Earl E. Sauder

MORTON – Earl E. Sauder, 82, of Morton, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

He was born on November 28, 1940, in Paulding, Ohio, to Albert and Bertha (Laukhuf) Sauder.

Surviving are his son, Jim (Connie) Vaughn of Yatesville, Ga.; granddaughters, Stephanie (Travis) Cox of Roswell, Ga. and Jennifer Vaughn (fiancé, Rob Taylor) of Braselton, Ga.; great-grandchildren, Nora and Caleb Cox, Anna and Lily Taylor; his companion of five years, Mary Ann Preston of Morton; her son, Bryan Preston of Bloomington, Ill.; and her grandchildren, Jack Preston and Katie Preston, both of Morton.  

Earl was a United States Army veteran.

He graduated from Morton High School in 1958.

Earl was a heavy equipment operator for 55 years, working out of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 649 in Peoria, where he was a proud member.

Earl was a member of First Baptist Church in Morton.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2023, at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Hirstein Cemetery in Morton.