Roberta (Hileman) Sanderson

Roberta M. (Hileman) Sanderson
10/02/1933 - 01/29/2022

Back in the late 70's, two NIPSCO meter readers were discussing potential presidential candidates. One turned to Roberta and said "Roberta, do you think God wants a female president"? She quickly replied, "I think SHE would approve!"

Roberta ascended to heaven peacefully from home on Saturday, January 29, 2022. As a preacher once said, the date of your birth and the date of your death are of little importance in comparison to the space that separates them. Roberta spent that entire space, in service to her God and to the service of others. She was a strong-willed woman who put the needs of her church, her family and her friends, ahead of her own wants and needs.

She was born to Clyde A. and Sylvia M. (Pier) Jones in Onward IN. A lifelong resident of Peru, she retired from NIPSCO in 1989, working her way up from cleaning appliances to Credit Manager. She married Harold Hileman and raised 3 children. Brenda (Brian) Butt, Mark (Kimberly) Hileman, and Debra Chase. Later, Roberta married John W. Sanderson.

Roberta was a lifelong member of Oakdale Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and was the church pianist for many years. She was involved with numerous organizations such as Dukes Auxiliary, Pink Ladies, American Cancer Society, American Baptist Women Society, Missionary Services and Meals on Wheels. Roberta was extremely generous with her time and money. Roberta was an avid gardener, loved to can and loved to pick wild raspberries and other fruits, turning that passion into years of homemade jelly.

Along with her children, Roberta is survived by a brother, Dennis Jones and special friend Marcia Mullikin of Peru, a sister Marilyn Carr of Yorktown IN, and sister Donna (Joe) Eckelbarger of Peru. Also surviving are grandchildren Christopher (Joanna) Hileman, Adam (Erica) Butt, Andrea Young, Megan (Mike) Bullins, Dustin (Karah) Chase, and Lance (Brooke) Chase, along with 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, a sister Joan Burke, and brothers Larry Jones and Marvin Jones.

Visitation will be held from 4pm – 7pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana.  Funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at the funeral home, with Pastor Julie Walker officiating.  Burial will take place at Walton Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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