WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Edwin (Bud) Drayton Sanderlin, age 84, of Kalamazoo, passed away Friday, May 29, 2026 at his home.
He was born August 22, 1941 in Thermopolis, Wyo., the son of Edd Drayton and Rose Ellen (Sanford) Sanderlin, and graduated from Hot Springs High School with the Class of 1959.
Bud spent a year at Casper College in general studies and worked odd jobs before enlisting in the U.S. Army for three years until his honorable discharge. After returning to Thermopolis, he met his first wife Kathy, and they were married in 1966. They had a daughter, Catherine Anne in 1968.
He began work as an electrical engineer and draftsman in Worland, Wyo., and in 1987 then moved to Mt. Airy, N.C. where he worked at various utility companies throughout different states over the next many years.
In 1997 Bud moved to Michigan and married Karen Kaiser in 2000 in Centreville. They settled in Kalamazoo in 2003 and most recently he was employed as an electrical contractor at Detroit Edison before retiring in 2009.
He liked to go target shooting, participated in shooting matches all over the state, and did his own reloading of ammunition. He also enjoyed hunting elk, moose, and deer in the mountains with his friends.
Remaining to cherish Bud’s memory are his wife, Karen Sanderlin; daughter, Cathy (Kevin) Murphy; son-in-law, Doug Austin; grandchildren, Charlie, Abby and Brady Murphy and Shane Lowell; great-grandson, Tate Heinzenberger; sister- and brother-in-law, Nancy and Mike Russell; niece and nephew, Emma and Garrett Russell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Kathy; stepdaughter, Judi Austin; and two sisters, Mary Ellen (Jim) Farmer and Wava (Mike) Miller.
In accordance with family wishes, cremation will be conducted and no services are planned.
Donations in Bud’s memory may be directed to charities of donator’s choice. Envelopes will be available at Hohner Funeral Home.
