Monte Saunders

VISALIA, Calif. – Monte Saunders of Visalia passed away Friday, March 30, 2018, at home, after bravely battling cancer.

Monte was born Sept. 29, 1941, in Palmyra Township, Lee County, Illinois, to Cecil and Marion (Reigle) Saunders. He attended Preston School through third grade, Mound School from fourth through eighth grade, and graduated in 1959 from Dixon High School. He was the fourth of 13 siblings. He grew up on a small farm in Dixon, and often reminisced about working and playing on the farm with his large family. He married Sharon Wilson in 1962. They had two children, Todd and Lisa. Monte worked very hard, always providing for his family. He started working for General Cable Corporation in 1964 as an hourly employee in the manufacturing plant in Dixon. He quickly rose in the company, moving his family to California and settling in Visalia. He worked in the Lindsay General Cable plant as plant controller, and ended his career in Sanger with his dream job of plant manager. While working, he went to the College of the Sequoias, where he earned his associate in arts degree in 1973. He retired in 2000, beginning the best job he ever had – picking up his grandchildren, Kyle and Amber, after school, and lovingly caring for them. Monte loved all sports and could be found most weekends watching a game. His favorite team was the Green Bay Packers, and he would never miss one of their games.

Monte is survived by his wife, Sharon; his son, Todd Saunders (Paul Gass) of Los Angeles; his daughter, Lisa (Bill) Hayter of Exeter; grandson, Kyle Hayter of Exeter, California; granddaughter, Amber Hayter of Exeter; and six brothers and six sisters, Donna (Richard “Dutch’ Chaney) Teeter of Fairfield, Iowa, James (Marge) of Madison, Wisconsin, Darlene (Jim) Stevens of Buncombe, Richard of Yorkville, Mary (Charles) Willett of Dixon, Linda (James) Stewart of Sterling, William (Patricia), Leonard (Deborah), and Bonnie Smith, all of Polo, and Thomas (Betty), Merle (Julie), and Laurie (Thomas) Meyer, all of Dixon.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers-in-law.

Monte will be greatly missed by his family and everyone who knew him.

There will be no services per Monte’s wishes.