Jeffrey John Sanders
October 11, 1965 - November 6, 2017
Beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, musician.
Jeff passed suddenly, naturally and peacefully from our lives on November 6, 2017.  He was born on Oct 11, 1965 in Youngstown to Ervin and Mary Catherine Sanders, growing up on the North Side and attending Ursuline High School and the Dana School of Music.  He began his music career early, playing with his brother Greg in the bands “Mephisto Waltz” and “The Sharkbites”.  Jeff lived as a professional musician his entire adult life, as the musical director for Easy Street Productions and as an arranger, conductor, and guitarist in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Chicago, and Reno, Nevada.  In 2004 he moved to Chicago, where he served in many capacities for a number of music producers. 
Jeff is remembered as the consummate musician: professional, charismatic, a perfectionist. To generations of Youngstown-area children, Jeff and the Little Big Band created the soundtrack for their dancing and singing in Easy Street productions. His kindness and bright smile graced many stages over the decades. Jeff strove to provide joyful, sometimes moving experiences for his audiences. A committed vegetarian, he was a fabulous cook.  But, most importantly, he is remembered as the most loving family member and friend.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Ervin Sanders.  He leaves his mother, Mary Catherine Witt Sanders of Youngstown, siblings David Sanders (Marjorie Goldsmith) of Manchester, NH, Alva May Kemble of Howland, OH, Matthew (Linda Rome) Sanders of Madison, WI, Martha Sanders of Columbus, OH, Laura Sanders (Shel Bannister) of Chicago, IL, Greg Sanders (Lisa Nespeca) of Oak Park, IL, and Theresa Sanders of Washington DC as well as his niece Emily Kemble and nephews Brian, Michael, and Jeffrey Sanders; Timothy, Christopher, and Eric Kemble; Kevin Inks; Dominic and Orlando Sanders; and his grand-nephew Connor Kemble. 
He leaves an unfillable place in the hearts of a very large family of friends from Easy Street, his Chicago neighborhood, YSU, Ursuline High School, and bands past and present.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 18th at 3:00pm at the Youngstown Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Lane, Youngstown, OH 44511 followed by a celebration of his life at 4:00 at the Playhouse. An informal memorial for Jeff will be held at Windsor Tavern and Grill in Chicago on Monday, November 13th from 6:30 pm to 10pm. 
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages that contributions in Jeff’s name be made to organizations that support music for children, the 2nd Harvest food bank, or the Greater Chicago Food Depository (www.chicagosfoodbank.org).
Local arrangements by the McCauley Funeral Home serving the valley for more than 115 years!

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