Ernest L. "Mitney" Sanders Jr., 79, of Charleston, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019.

He was born on July 25, 1940, in Rainelle, to the late Ernest Sr., and Kathlyn Vance Sanders.

Ernie was a U.S. Army veteran having served from 1958 to 1961 as a paratrooper in the 82 ^nd Airborne Division. He worked at H&R Block for 23 years before opening his own tax business with his wife called Val-U-Tax Service. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle whenever he got the chance. He was a resident of Tyler Mountain for 50 years, where he was a staple in the community. Everyone who knew him knew him as a man who was fair with everyone. He was greatly loved by his family and friends and will be dearly missed.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Karen Sanders ; son, Mark Sanders; sisters, Linda Sanders, Peggy Viers; and niece Shelly McIntire.

He is survived by his son, Jeff Sanders of Charleston; grandson Dakota Sanders of South Charleston; granddaughter, Autumn Bice of Dunbar; great grandsons, Julian and Riley Bice of Dunbar; sisters, Mary Entsminger of White Sulphur Springs, Beverly Payne of Rainelle; nieces, Donetta Viers of Rainelle, Sandy McIntire Peters (Robert) of White Sulphur Springs; and nephew, Michael McIntire (Alicia) of Lewisburg.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 9, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with Pastor Greg Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.

Friends may visit two hours prior to the service at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.