Franz Michael Sanders was born on December 12th, 1963, and went home to eternal rest on August 24th, 2026.

Franz grew up all over the Southeast traveling with his father, Neil Sanders, and finally settled in Mendenhall with his beloved aunt and uncle, Sybil and Doug Herbert, and his cousins – who he called brothers and sisters – Douglas, Jr., Bill, Lisa, and Mark. In 1985, Franz, found true love with Keri Brock. They married and proudly welcomed a son, Michael into the world. Franz was no stranger to hard work, climbing his way up the ladder from stocker to manager at the Sunflower grocery store. In 1991, Franz suffered a brain injury following a motorcycle accident. He was lovingly cared for throughout the years by his wife, Keri, son, Michael, and the nurses and caregivers at the Wilkinson County Nursing Center. Through the years, Franz rediscovered the ability to walk and was well known around the nursing centers for his long daily strolls. Though he never regained the ability to speak, his legacy of tenacity, grit, and love lives on through his family.

He is preceded in death by his father, Neil Sanders, as well as his aunt and uncle/surrogate parents, Sybil and Doug Herbert.

He is survived by his son, Michael, and daughter-in-law, Kerri Courtney Sanders; wife of ten years and caregiver, Keri Brock White; and cousins, Douglas Herbert, Jr., Bill Herbert, Lisa Herbert Hilton, and Mark Herbert.

He will be celebrated with a memorial service on Friday, August 28th, at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Mendenhall. Funeral services will take place at 11:00am on Friday with burial following at Mendenhall City Cemetery.