Glenn Verdier Sage, 68, Adrian, MO, died Sunday, February 19, 2017 in Independence, MO. Memorial services will be held at 3:00pm Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Adrian, MO. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at the church.

Glenn was born August 20, 1948 in Kansas City, MO, the eldest son of Arthur Erwin Sage and Rolla Joline (Dille) Sage. He was a 1966 graduate of Adrian High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Bolivar, MO in 1970.

Glenn was a cherished father who lovingly raised two daughters, Elaine Goodman and Claire Shields. He selflessly loved his children and taught them the value of faith and walking with God, that nothing was more important than love, and to sing as much as you can in life. He was always there when they needed him, and guided them through various hardships, including the loss of their mother. He stayed with his daughter, Claire, for five months to assure that his grandson Christopher made it safely into the world despite a grim prognosis. He loved being a father-in-law and enjoyed going to games with his sons-in-law. He also loved being a grandfather and loved going for walks with his grandsons, playing "Amazon" with them, and reading with them.

Known affectionately as Pete to his union brothers and sisters, Glenn served as president of Millwrights' Local 1529 until his retirement in 2005. He also served for a time as the president of the Millwrights on a state level. For years as the "Labor Sage" on KKFI's Heartland Labor Forum, he reminded folks of the working class struggles that had made unions a major force in American history.

He appreciated art, music, and poetry and even as a grandparent, could still recite the poems his own grandfather taught him as they split wood together in his youth. He said his grandfather told him "it was just as important to keep fire as it was to make it."

Glenn was the best of philanthropists, feeling that caring for and helping others was a true way to live out his faith. He felt it was more important to live an active belief in Christ than to only profess the belief. He liked seeking out people who needed help and encouragement. He cared for his two elderly parents for ten years. He spent many hours buying food for the poor and helping the needy. He enjoyed being in the outdoors, fishing, and growing things. He liked reading, drawing, and most of all spending time with family and friends.

Glenn leaves his mother Rolla Joline Sage, his beloved daughter Elaine and her husband Carl Goodman; his beloved daughter Claire and her husband Brian Shields. He leaves behind his precious grandchildren Brian Verdier Shields and Christopher Glenn Shields. He also leaves behind the love of his life, Mary Ethington. Glenn leaves his siblings; brother Harold Sage and wife Ruth; sisters Bethany Argabright and husband Alan, Edith Arnold and husband Chester, and Rachel Gregory and husband Nathan. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who adored him. He was predeceased by his father, Arthur Sage of Adrian, MO, and sister Marian Perriman of Kansas City, MO.