WEST FRANKFORT – Elizabeth “Libby” Sanders, 82, of West Frankfort, Illinois, ended her journey on Saturday, July 1, 2023 in Herrin Hospital at 11:30 a.m.

Libby was born February 15, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri to Walter and Betty (Modrak) Huff. She graduated from St. John’s Catholic School and Frankfort Community High School in 1958.

In 1990, she married her husband, Ronnie, who preceded her in death in 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents; step-son, Ron Jr. in 2013.

She is survived by her sister Helene Creed of West Frankfort and family Jamie (Richard) Yaeger, Melissa (Randy) Dale, William (Ricky) White, Rebecca (Kurtis) Boxburger; cousin Robert Hussmann of West Frankfort; step-son Tom (Karen) Sanders of Colorado; daughter-in-law Christine Sanders; five grandsons, one great grandson, several great-nieces and great-nephews. She also leaves behind her cousins through marriage, Patty and Richard Shimkus of West Frankfort; companion Harvey Medley of Christopher – friendships that will be everlasting.

Libby left West Frankfort in 1959 and moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the FBI, Department of Defense, and Department of Transportation. She and her husband returned to West Frankfort after she retired from the Federal Aviation Administration and Denver Airport Traffic Control Tower in 1994. After 35 years of government service, Libby worked not only in Washington D.C. but also Virginia, California, Canada, Hawaii, and Belgium. Libby was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church and was Parish Secretary from 1998 to 2004.

Libby and her mother shared a favorite phrase, “Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that’s how I will remember you all – if you can remember me only with tears – then don’t remember me at all.”

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023 at St. John’s Catholic Church in West Frankfort, Illinois with Rev Dr. Eusebius Mbidoaka officiating. Burial will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in West Frankfort, Illinois. Visitation will be from 8 to 10 a.m. prior to the service at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort.