Walter A. Sanders age 97, of Harbor Springs, Michigan and formerly of Grand Rapids, Michigan died Friday morning, May 22, 2015 at the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey after a brief illness. He was born on February 16, 1918 in Ludington, Michigan and was the son of the late Alvin A. and Jessie P. (Udey) Sanders. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II as a sergeant with the 414th Bomb Squadron as a control tower operator in the communications section, having served in England, North Africa, Italy and France. Walter married Ruffine Frances Mantyck on June 23, 1945 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. She preceded him in death on June 27, 2012. He was a retired machinist having been employed most of his life at the General Motors Diesel Plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Walter along with his wife Ruffine enjoyed square dancing, camping, traveling and spending many winters in Florida. He was raised Methodist and was also a member along with his wife of Holy Spirit Catholic Church while living in Grand Rapids.

He is survived by his daughter and son in-law, Sandra and Mario Kaminski, two granddaughters, Darlene Kate Damon and Kimberly Kaminski, his grandson, Christopher and Katherine Kaminski, two great grandchildren Alexander Kaminski and Soroya Kaminski. Several nieces and nephews also survive him.

Walter was preceded in death by three sisters, Dorothy Manchester, Marie Hansen and Alice Holmes and by his brother, Donald Sanders.

Mass from The Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated Friday, May 29, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend John McCracken celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee.

Relatives and friends will pray the Evening Vigil Service at 8:00 p.m Thursday evening, May 28, 2015 at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee, where the family will receive friends on Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. and on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until leaving for the church at 10:40 AM. The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.