Joseph Melvin "Jeep" Saunders, Sr.

            Mr. Joseph Melvin Saunders, Sr., 82, of Youngstown, departed this life on Monday, August 18, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

            Mr. Saunders, affectionately known as “Jeep”, was born March 9, 1943 in Youngstown, OH, 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 1980’s after over 20 years of service.

            Joseph was a former member of St. Andrewes A.M.E. Church; the NAACP; 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 Twp.; 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 Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home, 1951 McGuffey Rd., Yo., OH.  Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon.

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