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<p><img fetchpriority=”high” fetchpriority=”high” decoding=”async” class=”alignleft wp-image-403375″ src=”https://thevillagereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-25-26-douglas-sanderson-fixed.jpg” alt=”” width=”242″ height=”395″ srcset=”https://thevillagereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-25-26-douglas-sanderson-fixed.jpg 475w, https://thevillagereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-25-26-douglas-sanderson-fixed-150×245.jpg 150w, https://thevillagereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-25-26-douglas-sanderson-fixed-450×734.jpg 450w” sizes=”(max-width: 242px) 100vw, 242px” /><strong>(Swanton Resident; Devoted To His Family)</strong></p>
<p>Douglas Ray Sanderson, age 67, of Swanton, Ohio, a man who had a lifelong passion to work with his hands, passed away Monday morning, March 16, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.</p>
<p>Doug was born on Jan. 5, 1959, in Toledo, Ohio to James and Sandra (Johnson) Sanderson.</p>
<p>Doug lived a life devoted to his craft and to the family he cherished above all else.</p>
<p>A 1978 graduate of Start High School, Doug’s passion for anything mechanical became the cornerstone of his life’s work.</p>
<p>He spent decades working on cars, motorcycles and machinery, ultimately retiring in 2021 from the University of Toledo’s maintenance and repair department, where his expertise and dedication were irreplaceable, as evidenced by the University continuing to call him out of retirement to work.</p>
<p>To know Doug was to know a man who was a jack of all trades and who could fix anything — also well known for his quick wit and sarcasm. His spirit found freedom on the open road riding his Harleys — symbols of independence and a soul untamed.</p>
<p>Yet beyond the mechanical world, Doug was a fiercely devoted family man, who enjoyed traveling and working in his shop. He treasured time spent with his loving wife Kristene Ragan, who he was with for 41 amazing years.</p>
<p>He was blessed with his daughter, Angela (Brian) Sanderson-Haupt, and sons Jeremy (Victoria) Sanderson, James (Brooke) Sanderson, and Dylan Sanderson. His legacy flourishes in the laughter and love of his six grandchildren — Nikki, Wyatt, Cooper, Blake, Jayden, and Taytum. Doug’s circle of love extended through his siblings Michael (Rita) Sanderson, Wanda (Larry) Tibai, Daniel (Michele) Sanderson, and Beth (Alfred) Lee, who, along with many nieces and nephews, carry forward his memory. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sandra Sanderson.</p>
<p>Visitation will be held Monday, March 30 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, March 31 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton. A memorial service honoring Doug’s life will be held Tuesday, March 31 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Maryann Reimund will officiate.</p>
<p>Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.</p>
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<p><strong>Also from Weigel Funeral Home:</strong> <a href=”https://thevillagereporter.com/candace-parker-1983-2026/”>Candace Parker (1983 – 2026)</a></p>
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