Forest W. Sanders

Forest William Sanders, age 76, of Harbor Springs, MI, passed away peacefully at home on October 15, 2025, with his loved ones by his side following a brief illness.

Forest was born on May 28, 1949, in Petoskey, MI to Roy and Irene (Luesing) Sanders. He graduated from Pellston High School in 1967 and attended Michigan State University. He built his first Maxi Muffler shop in Petoskey in the 1970s, while raising his family. Maxi eventually became Midas, and he would go on to own and run five additional Midas shops in Alpena, Essexville and Saginaw for many years until he retired. In 2014, he moved back to Harbor Springs and worked as a shuttle driver for Mackinaw Shuttle. His job as a shuttle driver brought him a lot of fulfillment, and he had many loyal customers and friends who reached out to share how much he meant to them in his final days.

Forest is remembered for his kindness, work ethic, generosity, and humor. His dry wit was intact through his very last days. He loved his family dearly. He was an avid reader who was a frequent customer of the Alanson Public Library. He also loved to hike the two-track behind his home.

Forest was dearly loved and will be fondly remembered by his family and friends. He leaves behind his fiancée, Arlene McKinney, along with her son, Kristopher Bosma, and grandson, River Bosma. His children, Mark (Kristie) Sanders and Bethany (Mark) Grotelueschen, and his grandchildren, Calvin, Maisy and Miles Sanders and Cassie and Anna Grotelueschen, will forever carry his humor, kindness, and love in their hearts. He also leaves behind his brothers, Kirk (Judy) Sanders and Lane (Peggy) Sanders, and his beloved nieces and nephew. Forest was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Irene Sanders, and his grandparents, Forest and Cora (Schmalzried) Luesing.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in honor of Forest to a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to McLaren Hospice Staff.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.