"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 211, No 7, p 32, Jul-Aug 1989.
Rev. Francis Davis Saunders of Milton, Wisconsin, joined the Church Triumphant on May 2, 1989 at the home of his son, Herbert, after a long illness. He was 75.
'Pastor Fran' Saunders was born in Boulder, Colorado, on June 5, 1913, the son of Herbert and Myrle Saunders. On June 11, 1939, he married Lila M. Stephan in Nortonville, Kansas. He was a graduate of Salem College, Salem, West Virginia, in 1942, and attended Faith Theological Seminary in Wilmington, Delaware.
While attending seminary he served as pastor of the first Seventh Day Baptist church, the Marlboro Church, in rural Bridgeton, New Jersey (1944-47). He was ordained during his pastorate in Denver, Colorado (1947-50) in 1947. He was pastor in North Loup, Nebraska (1950-56); Los Angeles, California (1956-65); Lost Creek, West Virginia (1965-71); the Pawcatuck Church in Westerly, Rhode Island (1971-75); and Farina, Illinois (1975-78).
After his retirement in 1978, he became the manager of Camp Joy in Berea, West Virginia, and served the church in that community until moving to Milton in 1981.
'Pastor Fran' enjoyed writing, which included many articles in The Sabbath Recorder and numerous lines of poetry. He enjoyed writing songs and hymns which were always arranged by his wife, Lila. During his retirement years, he wrote the 'Comment on Scripture' section for The Helping Hand, the denominational Sabbath School Bible study guide.
He served Seventh Day Baptists as a trustee of the American Sabbath Tract Society (1944-47), as a member of the Board of Managers of the SDB Missionary Society (1971-75), and as a member of the denominational Commission (1970-73).
Pastor Fran's faith and witness to the love of Christ is evidenced by the fact that his three sons are in the ministry.
Pastor Saunders is survived by his wife, Lila; his three sons, Herbert (Barbara), Stephan (Irene), and Daniel (Jessie); 11 grandchildren; and a brother, William, of Boulder.
Memorial services were held on May 4, 1989, at the Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church with his 'pastor' and son, Herbert, officiating, assisted by Stephan and Daniel, and Executive Secretary Dale D. Thorngate. Interment is in Milton East Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Seventh Day Baptist Center on Ministry for the general scholarship fund for the training of pastors.
The words of Jesus come to mind as we remember 'Pastor Fran'; 'Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over little, I will set you over much. Enter the joy of your Lord.' HES
("HES" is Pastor Fran's son, Rev. Herbert E. Saunders).
"The Milton Courier", Milton, Wisconsin, Thursday, May 4, 1989, p 28, has an obituary on file.
