Benjamin (Ben) Terrell Sanders, age 52, of Mount Vernon, Ohio died unexpectedly on May 26, 2026 at Knox Community Hospital following a valiant, three year battle with stage four cancer. Ben was born on March 14, 1974 in Kansas City, Missouri to his loving parents, William Terrell Sanders and Suzanne Christenbury Sanders. On May 14, 2010, he married the love of his life, Heather Lyn McLean Sanders.
Growing up, Ben enjoyed playing on the football team, singing in the choir, and was an active part of his youth group. As an adult he has enjoyed his days working outside in the yard, tending the family pond, and always had a project. He loved attending sporting events, cheering on his Florida State Seminoles, and spending quality time with his dearly loved family. He was fondly known as “Pops” to his grandchildren whom he fiercely loved and deeply enjoyed.
He dedicated his life to caring for students, serving as a guidance counselor at the Mount Vernon Middle School for nearly 20 years. There, he piloted the “Where Everybody Belongs” and “Big Siblings” programs. Above all, Ben was a man of faith and a devout follower of Jesus Christ. He built his life upon the Rock, the Foundation of his character and Source of who he was. Ben was abundantly generous, fun loving, dependable, tenacious, selfless, loving, hardworking, respectable, faithful, and a disciple of the One True King, Jesus Christ.
Ben is survived by his faithful wife, Heather Lyn McLean Sanders; children Krista Sanders Myatt, Lauren (David) Sanders Rutledge, Madison (Max) Brokaw VanFossen, McKenna Brokaw, and Nicholas Sanders; grandchildren Belarmina, Sophia, Gabriella, and Nikko Myatt. He is survived by his parents, William Terrell Sanders and Suzanne Christenbury Sanders; sister, Holly (Ted) Fuller; nephew, Caleb Fuller and niece, Leah Fuller. His mother in law, Mary McLean, sister in law Melissa (Frank) States, her children Brittany and Chelsea Czech, and her grand child Emaleigh Shaller. He was also survived by his aunt Nelda Woolverton, cousin Jack (Katie) Woolverton, and their children, Logan and Maya; his uncle, Tim (Pattie) Sanders and cousins Jessica (Keith) Martin and their children Adry Ellwood, Eleanor Martin, and Anabelle Martin, Matthew (Alexz) Sanders and their children Mo and LaRue Sanders, and Jacob (Rebecca Hoffman) Sanders; cousins April Sarter and Adam Christenbury. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Terrell C. (Jack) Sanders, grandmother Edrell Sanders, grandmother Hazel M. Christenbury, uncle Kenneth Christenbury, and his father-in-law, Hodie McLean.
Ben felt deep gratitude toward long time family friends Jo Lee Carrier and her children Camden Carrier and Maecie Carrier; Ken (Heather) Wells, their child Ashley (William) Parks, their children Cayden and Mason; Mike (Marci) Schmidt and children Cada, Kyle, and Wyatt Schmidt; and Richard (Jena) Cooper and their children Noah and Jonah Cooper; as they are true family who carried Ben and his loved ones through this battle; his Mount Vernon Middle School counseling and administration staff; and faithful friends and supporters of Ben Sanders’ Cancer Crusade.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, with a funeral service to follow starting at 2:00 pm. The gathering will take place at New Life Church of the Nazarene on 665 Harcourt Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Memorial contributions are appreciated to allow the family to carry on what was so important to Ben:
– New Life Church of the Nazarene to fund summer camp scholarships;
– Mount Vernon Middle School counseling office to provide financial assistance to students in need;
– Any undesignated funds will be used to establish a scholarship fund in memory of Ben.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com