The earthly life of Colonel U.S. Army (Ret.) Malcom Sadler, 94, ended October 16, 2014 at Chatuge Nursing Home in Hiawassee, GA where he had been a resident for 2 years.
The funeral service was held at 2:00 PM on Monday, October 20, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Sylvester with interment following in Hillcrest Cemetery with full military honors. Dr. Ben Bush will officiate.
Mr. Sadler was born on June 21, 1920 in Moultrie to the late Malcom Mateau and Elizabeth Taylor Sadler. Mr. Sadler graduated from Climax High School in 1937 and Mississippi College in 1942. He served as pastor at Tempy Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church from 1942 to 1944. In December, 1944, Mr. Sadler was commissioned as a Chaplain into the U.S. Army and served in Germany during World War II. He was the youngest Chaplain commissioned in the Army. During his military career, he received many awards of distinction as he faithfully served God and country. Among Colonel Sadler’s honors were the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit, which is the U.S. Army’s second highest peacetime award. In addition to serving in Germany during WW II, he also served in Korea during the Korean Conflict. Colonel Sadler later served a tour in both areas a second time. He was assigned to other overseas duty stations including Alaska, Hawaii and Thailand. Stateside duty stations where he served, included New Jersey, Valley Forge, PA, Ft. Bragg, NC, Ft. Benning, GA, Ft. Meade, MD, Ft. Hood, TX, and Ft. Rucker, AL. While stationed at Ft. Bragg, Colonel Sadler served with the 82nd Airborne Division making 38 parachute jumps. He was the first Chaplain to make jumps with his assigned troops. After 26 ½ years of honorable service, Colonel Sadler retired from the Army. Following his retirement, he served as pastor at Beacon Baptist Church in Albany, GA and Unity Baptist Church in Sylvester, GA. After many years in Sylvester, Mr. Sadler and his wife moved to Macon to be near their daughter and son-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Sadler moved in 2003 to Young Harris, GA to live with their daughter and son-in-law.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy (Don)Milleman of Young Harris, GA; grandchildren, Mack (Marnie) Brown of Zebulon, GA, Georgia (Mike) Owens of Macon, GA and Jeff (Shalara) Brown of Atlanta, GA; great-grandchildren, Will Brown, Wendi Brown, Ashleigh Owens, Matthew Owens and Lucas Brown; and 1 great-great-grandchild, Grayson Brown.
Pallbearers include Mike Owens, Matthew Owens, Jeff Brown, Mack Brown, Will Brown, Jackie Boyd and George Boyd.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 19, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Banks Funeral Home.
The family requests no flowers and memorial donations may be made to the McConnell Baptist Church, P.O. Box 235, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546 or the First Baptist Church of Sylvester, P. O. Box 309, Sylvester, Georgia 31791.
Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.