Geneva Sanders

GENEVA SANDERS

Wellman

Geneva Ettwoyle "Twyle" Sanders, 98, of Wellman, formerly of West Liberty, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, at Parkview Manor in Wellman.

Twyle was born April 24, 1915, in Wapello, Ill., to Roy Vernelle and Elizabeth (Bartlett) McConkey. She attended country schools in the What Cheer area, graduating from What Cheer High School in 1933, with a Normal Training certificate. Twyle was married to Samuel Lyle Sanders on Sept. 12, 1934, by the Rev. Loren Works, in What Cheer. They had two children, Gerald Lee and Charlotte Ann. Sam and Twyle were married for 67 years.

Twyle's interest lay with children all her life. The Sanders family cared for 42 foster children. She also did hand work all of her life. Those who knew her may have some of her embroidery or crocheted items.

She was employed as a bookkeeper at the Lone Tree Reporter newspaper office for 10 years and for Standard Oil Co. with her husband almost 20 years.

Sam and Twyle lived in several cities in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. They made their home in Lone Tree for 23 years and moved in 1972 to West Liberty, where Twyle resided until 2011, when she moved to Silver Pond Assisted Living in Wellman.

She was a member of the Methodist Church (and WSCS/UMW) for over 75 years. She served the church and women's group in many capacities. A member of Federated Woman's Club (LoneTree and West Liberty) for over 50 years, she served as local, county and district officer. Twyle was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star since 1974.

Twyle is survived by a daughter, Charlotte (Richard) Morgan of Kalona; a daughter-in-law, Verleen Lee of Broken Arrow, Okla.; grandchildren, Greg (Laurie) Sanders of Greensboro, N.C., Kim (Larry) Danz of Mannford, Okla., Melody (Robert) Black of Wellman and Chris (Cathy) Crawford of Phoenix, Ariz.; five stepgrandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Samuel L.; son, Gerald Lee; brother, Roy Vernell McConkey Jr.; a sister-in-law, Dorothy McConkey; and a son-in-law, Donald Gene Crawford.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Wellman. The Rev. Moody Colorado and the Rev. Betsy Neipert will officiate. Burial will be in Jackson Cemetery near Rose Hill. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at Powell Funeral Home in Wellman, where an Eastern Star service will be at 6 p.m.

A memorial fund has been established for Hillcrest Family Services.

Messages may be sent to the family at www.powell

funeralhomes.com.