John Saunders

YOUNGSTOWN-Services will be Wednesday at 12:30 PM at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, and at 1:00 PM at St. Brendan Church for John "RED" Saunders age 64 of Millet Ave. Youngstown, who died suddenly early Sunday morning of an apparent heart attack at his home. Red was born September 21, 1939, in Youngstown, the son of John L. and Mary Rita Donnelly Saunders. He had worked as an insurance agent for over 18 years with the Western and Southern Insurance company from 1981 until his retirement in 2000. He had formerly worked at the U.S. Steel Ohio Works for over 20 years. He graduated from St. Brendan Grade School in 1953, and Chaney High School in 1957, he later attended Youngstown State University. A lifelong member of St. Brendan Church he had couched the schools football and basketball teams for over 25 years winning several championships. In 2001 the St. Brendan School alumni and friends named the schools inaugural benefit golf outing in his name. He was also active in Chaney High School Football as a coach and a booster, and in 1998 was inducted into the Chaney Hall of Fame for his contributions to the program. He also coached baseball for the Millcreek baseball association for many years.

Red is survived by his former wife the former Barbara Williams of Akron, two sisters Mary R. Fred Capogreco and Loretta Saunders both of Youngstown, nieces and nephews Scott and Siobhan Saunders, Dallas Saunders, Meghan Saunders DeGregori, Christine Roddy Yuhas, Tim, Michael, and Bob Roddy, and Bryce, Casie, and Faith Saunders. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers Joseph L. and Patrick M. Saunders.

Friends may call Tuesday from 3 to 8 PM and Wednesday from 10:30 to 12:30 PM at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.
The family requests that material tributes take the form of donations to the St. Brendan School endowment fund.