TSgt Eric C. Sander's Obituary
Technical Sergeant Eric C. Sander, age 28, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Chehalis, Washington. He was currently serving in the United States Air Force and stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Eric was born March 11, 1994 in Muskegon, Michigan to Raymond J. Sander Jr. and Lisa S. Goetz. He lived in the area most of his life.
Eric graduated from Mona Shores High School in 2012 and joined the United States Air Force that fall. He was an accomplished hunter and fisherman and avid Detroit Red Wings and Michigan Football fan. His hobbies included skydiving, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, golfing. Eric was an overall outdoor and action-packed guy who also enjoyed strumming on the guitar. Eric lived five lifetimes during his twenty-eight years of life.
While serving in the United States Air Force, Eric was also stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas with deployments to Africa, Syria, Kuwait and Korea coupled with multiple assignments across the European Theater. While in Syria, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a Combat Device for his distinguished accomplishments during combat. He received his Associate Degree from the Community College of the Air Force in Information Systems Management and had started his Bachelor of Science through the University of Arizona. Most notably, Eric was a graduate of the United States Army Airborne School, United States Army Air Assault School, a Master Marksman and was a Joint Terminal Attack Controller – Instructor.
Survivors include his father Raymond Sander Jr. (Penny), mother Lisa Goetz, the love of his life Josephine Salazar, Stepbrother Kevin Posvistak (Kelly), Stepsister Heather Posvistak (Tina), Aunts and Uncles Dianne Goetz, Sheri Anderson (Harvey), Deborah Bosma (Rich), Daniel Sander (Shelly), Joseph Sander (Angela), Best Friend Bretton Boone (Skylor), First Cousins Denise Anderson, Jeff Anderson (Angela), Chris Anderson (Jamee) Casey Anderson (Kristin), Meghan Bosma (Brent Koster), Lauren Hunter (Gideon), Matthew Sander, Aaron Sander, Jacob Sander, Anna Sander, and all of his TACP brothers.
Eric was preceded in death by his grandparents Raymond Sander Sr. and Jean (LeMieux) Sander and Walter Goetz and Peggy (Bozeman) Goetz
A Military Funeral Service will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church (2929 McCracken Street) with Air Force Chaplain Rob Pitts officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the TACP Association (tacpassociation.org/blog/donation). Arrangements handled by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444. Sign the online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com
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