ARCHBOLD, Ohio – Maynard L. Sauder, former president and CEO of Sauder Woodworking Co., and the son of company founder Erie Sauder, died on Aug. 28 at Fairlawn Haven Special Care Neighborhood. He was 88.
Sauder was born on Feb. 15, 1932 to Erie J. and Leona (Short) Sauder. He was educated at International Business College in Fort Wayne, Ind. and was an accountant at Evanston General Hospital in Evanston, Ill., for two years before returning to Sauder Woodworking Co. in 1955.
He was employed at Sauder Woodworking 55 years, starting as an accountant/office manager before being promoted to general manager in 1962 and to president and CEO in 1975.
The company said that his “positive leadership, along with the talents of his younger brother Myrl and the dedicated team they built,” helped the company grow from 350 employees when he became president to more than 3,000 when he retired. This growth created the largest manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture in North America and what would also become a major producer of health care, educational and worship furniture.
Maynard Sauder also served in leadership positions with many charitable organizations, including Zion Mennonite Church, Sauder Village, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), Goshen College Music Center, Sunshine Communities, Fairlawn Haven, and the Archbold Rotary Club. In addition, he was a long-term corporate director at the Sauder Companies, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Jayco, and the Trust Company.
His many honors included the Archbold Chamber of Commerce 2018 Legacy Award, Northwest Ohio’s 1992 Entrepreneur of the Year, and Archbold’s 1988 Citizen of the Year.
At his Citizen of the Year banquet, he was described by long-time friend Virgil Miller as someone who “encourages us to become more than we are. … He is honest in his business and personal relations, quick to believe in people, slow to believe in negative opinions, and has a deep Christian commitment.”
He married Carolyn Yoder on October 4, 1953, and they were married for 66 years. They raised three children: Debbie (David) David, Kevin Sauder, and Diane (Garrett) Tinsman. They also have five grandchildren: Jessica (Kyle) Harrell, Matthew and Mary Lee Sauder, and Chandler (Carolina) and Bryce Tinsman.
Maynard was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Delmar Sauder, and step-sister Elaine (Dave) Graber. He is survived by his wife, his brother Myrl (Freida) Sauder, his children, grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family will hold a private burial and memorial service being arranged by Grisier Funeral Home in Archbold, www.grisiefh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sauder Village or a charity of one’s choice.
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