Iva Janell (Hathcoat) Sanders was born January 5, 1948, in Wagoner, OK. Janell was one of nine children born to Leroy and Viva (Picket) Hathcoat.  She was raised in Wagoner and attended Wagoner schools, where she graduated with the class of 1966.

Janell met the love of her life, Max Ray Sanders while still in high school. The young man from Coweta, OK and Janell were married on June 18, 1966, and were happily married for 51 years until his passing in November 2017. They were a dedicated couple, and Janell loved her role as wife and mother to the family. She made their welfare the focus of her life.

She loved all kinds of arts and crafts, including sewing and macrame. She was a passionate flower gardener and designer and relished her time working at Bonnie's Flowers.

Janell departed this life early Monday, May 27, 2024, at Clarehouse in Tulsa, OK at the age of 76 years. The family is comforted that she is now in the care of the Lord and is enjoying a reunion with her parents, Leroy and Viva, her beloved husband, Max, and siblings, Bea, Edna and Louie.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Sonja Sanders of Broken Arrow, OK; her daughter, Lisa Sanders of Muskogee, OK; grandchildren, Erik, Ross, Josh, Amanda, Jessica, and Emilee; great-grandchildren, Abby, Gracie, Ryan, Lilee, Chloe, Brylee, Piper Jo, Sam, Clare, and Jessie; siblings, Burley Hathcoat, Johnny Hathcoat, Linda Bayird, and Greg Hathcoat; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

Following her Celebration of Life at 2 pm on Thursday in the Mallett Funeral Home Chapel, Janell will be laid to rest beside her husband, Max, in Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner, OK. Officiant for the services will be Pastor Joe Gschwandtner. Pallbearers will be Scott Sanders, Brandon Bayird, Sam Davis, Ross Davis, Jerry Dill, and Luke Hathcoat.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mallett Funeral Home Chapel.

Memorial donations may be made in Janell's name to Clarehouse.