Joseph M. Saunders Sr. 1943-2025

Mr. Saunders, affectionately known as “Jeep,” was born March 9, 1943, in Youngstown, a son of Kenneth and Anna Lee Johnson Saunders.

He was a 1963 graduate of East High School and attended McDonald Trade School.

He had been employed as a millwright with U.S. Steel McDonald Works and millwright for Wean United, retiring in the late 1980s after over 20 years of service.

Joseph was a former member of St. Andrewes A.M.E. Church, the NAACP and the former Soul Gents baseball team.

He enjoyed music (rhythm & blues and jazz), sports in general and lawn care. He was an avid Cleveland Browns fan.

He leaves to mourn his passing, but to celebrate his life and legacy, his wife, the former Gwendolyn E. Stringer, whom he married in 1986; four children, Kim Y. (Eric) Saunders-Jackson of Canfield, Roseann E. Phillips of Hubbard, Joseph M. (LaToya) Saunders Jr. of Warren and Tanica L. Ross of Liberty Township; a sister, Elizabeth Penn of Youngstown; 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; his former spouse, Ann K. Moore Saunders of Youngstown; and a host of family and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, James E. “Petey” Phillips; his brothers, Harold, Kenneth “June” and Robert “Bobe” Saunders; and his brother-in-law, Frederick Stringer.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at the L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home, 1951 McGuffey Road, Youngstown.

Funeral services will follow at noon Saturday at the funeral home.

(special notice)