Joseph Robert "Bob" Sands

Joseph Robert "Bob" Sands, Sr., 93, a well known Benton area resident and highly decorated World War II Veteran, formerly of Center Street, Benton, died early Thursday morning, July 2nd, 2015 at Emeritus at Bloomsburg. Born February 25, 1922 in Jackson Township, he was a son of the late Howard and Hilda (Fausey) Sands. He and his wife, Eleanor (Fritz) Sands, also a Benton area native, were married in Winchester, Virginia on September 14, 1940. She preceded him in death on December 6, 2014 after 74 years of marriage. Mr. Sands was a 1940 graduate of Benton High School. He faithfully served his country in the U. S. Army and was a highly decorated World War II Veteran and had served in the European Theater. He served in the battles and campaigns of Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland. As a Corporal in Company H, 28th Infantry, he was injured in action in Germany on December 6, 1944. On March 4, 1945, Cpl. Sands was a patient in a Belgium hospital due to shrapnel wounds he sustained of the forehead, ear and left leg. The twice wounded soldier was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the EAME Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Oak Leaf Cluster to Purple Heart Medal as well as the Good Conduct Medal. A long time businessman in the Benton area he was a Plumbing and Heating Contractor. He also owned and operated Sands Oil and later Sands Pharmacy. Mr. Sands was an active member of the Benton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he served as a Deacon, Trustee and a member of the Church Board. Very involved in civic affairs, he served two terms on the Benton Borough Council and terms as vice-mayor and mayor during the 1970's. During that time he was coordinator for flood aid and was influential in the closing of the former Benton dump. He was a Past Master of the Benton Masonic Lodge and a current member of Oriental Lodge, No. 460, F. & A. M., of Orangeville; a former member of Caldwell Consistory, of Bloomsburg; a 50 year plus member of the Bloomsburg Elks Lodge; a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and a life member of the Benton V. F. W. His hobbies included wood-working, traveling and camping. Surviving are his two children: J. Robert Sands, Jr. and his wife, Valerie, of Butler, PA; Cynthia Sands Aten and her husband, John, of Canton, Georgia; 2 grandchildren: Curt Stauffer and his wife, Patti, of Lititz, PA and Erika Stauffer Campbell and her husband, Brian, of Berwick; four great grandchildren: Lauren Stauffer, Alexandra, Evan and Brooke Campbell. Along with his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers: Richard W. Sands, Harold Sands and Donald Sands. Funeral Services with Military Honors will be held Wednesday, July 8th, 2015 at 12 Noon at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (Rt. 487) with Rev. Dr. David A. Mansfield, his pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Benton Cemetery. A viewing will be held Wednesday from 10 AM until the time of the Service at Noon at McMichael's. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Capital Building Fund, Benton Christian Church, P. O. Box 264, Benton, PA 17814.

Joseph Robert "Bob" Sands

February 25, 1922 - July 2, 2015