Rev. Joseph Isaac "Papa Joe" Sanders

Sanders, Rev. Joseph Isaac “Papa Joe” Now reunited with his beloved and devoted wife of 64 years, Carolyn Mae Clark Sanders on December 2, 2018 at the age of 92. Loving father of Jenneane (Bill) Sanders-Eakin, Steven (Rand Schmidt) Sanders and Peter (Sandra) Sanders. Proud grandpa of Jessica June, Beth, Rachel and Katie. Great-grandpa of the late Ruby Rose, Olive Ruby and Eli Royale. Dearest brother of the late Jack Everett (Ethel) Sanders and Val Gene (Patricia) Sanders. Cherished brother-in-law of Rev. David (Helen) Clark. Further survived by nieces and nephews, other relatives and caring friends. Joe served two years in the Army Air Force during WWII. In 1949 he enrolled at San Diego State College, studying music education and life science. After his graduation in 1953, Joe entered Beth Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN, planning to be a missionary. Seminary was completed in June 1957 and during the next 20 years, Joe and Carolyn served three churches in Minnesota, followed by two years in Muskegon, MI. They moved to Wisconsin in December 1966 serving the former Bethlehem Baptist Church in Brown Deer followed by a five-year pastorate at the former First Baptist Church on Milwaukee’s lower east side. Joe left the church ministry in 1977, working for several social service agencies focusing on elderly issues. He ended his working career after 13 years with the Printing Industries of Wisconsin as a consultant in human resources. Papa Joe’s family is eternally grateful to the entire staff Luther Manor – Truby Pavilion in Wauwatosa for their loving care while he was in Memory Care. Memorial Gathering on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at UNDERWOOD MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH, 1916 N. Wauwatosa Ave. from 3pm to 4pm with the Memorial Service at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Church would be preferred.