Sandra Hall

Reflecting on the life of Sandra Lynn Hall, words such as caring, devoted, fun-loving, and imaginative come to mind. Sandy had a generous heart and enjoyed the company of her family, friends, and neighbors. She leaves behind wonderful memories for all of her loved ones.

Sandy was born to Warren and Mary DeLaughter on April 27, 1944, in Kokomo, Indiana. She loved to roller skate as a young girl and kept up this hobby throughout her school years. Sandy also enjoyed swimming and spent many summers at the Kokomo Seashore. She often spent time in her mother's beauty shop, which was attached to their home. Sandy interacted with people of all ages, and being an only child, became quite independent. It was not uncommon for her to walk 10 blocks to downtown Kokomo by herself and do her own back to school shopping and other errands for her parents. In the early 60's, the Kokomo Wildkats boys basketball team was a force to be reckoned with in the state of Indiana. Sandy was a member of the KHS Cheer Block and cheered on the 1961 team to victory for the state high school boys championship. Sandy graduated from Kokomo High School in 1962.

Sandy's life was forever changed when she met Eldon “A.J.” Hall in Kokomo. Eldon had previously served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force while stationed at Bunker Hill Air Force Base. Joining in marriage on April 28, 1962, they set off to start a family of their very own. Together they raised three wonderful daughters; Laury, Julie, and Nicole. Sandy and Eldon immensely enjoyed popular music from the 50's and 60's. Elvis, Pat Boone, The Platters, The Everly Brothers, and Connie Francis to name a few. They even named their firstborn daughter, Laury, after Pat Boone’s youngest daughter. As a stay at home mother, Sandy gave her daughters a very happy childhood. She insisted on proper grammar, good grades, and encouraged them to read. Sandy's greatest desire was to see her girls develop into independent and capable young women.

As a family, the Halls enjoyed many years of camping together. They camped seasonally at several locations in the Kokomo area, most recently at Sports Lake Campground in Gas City. Her children loved the Hobo Foil-Packet Dinners she made over the campfire, as well as Pudgy Pies for dessert. She taught the girls many of her favorite games while camping including Triominos, Yahtzee, Scrabble, and Euchre. In 1978, Sandy began her twenty-five-year career at Howard Elementary School working as a Title 1 Teaching Assistant and Media Library Specialist. Children were drawn to her warm personality, and she was well-loved by the students and staff alike. For many years after she retired, Sandy continued to attend weekly breakfasts with her former Northwestern School Corporation coworkers.

The Hall family loved to gather for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sandy's daughters always looked forward to her cranberry salad. Memorial Day weekends featured an Indianapolis 500 party and the famous Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats. The Fourth of July was always festive at the campground, with golf cart parades, an abundance of food, music, and of course fireworks! Sandy loved to plan and organize special events for her family at home, family reunions, campground block parties, school events, and even the Kokomo High School Class of 1962 reunions. She most enjoyed herself when all three of her daughters returned home for a week of fun, food, music, and games. Family was the greatest treasure in Sandy's life.

Sandy continued her love of camping throughout her life, and even adopted her own “camping family” to enjoy time with and have fun with around the campfire. With her grandson Alex, she shared her interests in basketball, camping, vintage cars, and motorsports. Sandy also enjoyed her vacations to Key West to visit her daughter Julie. In addition, the Hall family reunions and gatherings brought much joy and laughter to Sandy. Being an only child, she was close with her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and considered them as siblings. Sandy was so very special to her many friends and loved ones. Her sense of humor and laughter will never be forgotten. May her loved ones never doubt the immense love she held in her heart for each and every one of them, and may her memories be eternal.

Sandy attended Brookside Free Methodist Church with her family. Near the end of her life, she came to rely more on her faith in Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life in Heaven. She looked forward to reuniting with her beloved husband Eldon, who passed away last year.

Sandra Lynn Hall, age 75, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is survived by her daughters; Laury (Eric) Powell of Andrews, IN; Julie (Chris) King of New Orleans, LA; and Nicole (Rob) Viland of Kalamazoo, MI; as well as her grandson, Alex Powell of Andrews, IN. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date in Kokomo, IN.

Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900. Please visit Sandra’s personal web page at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: We Care Kokomo, or the Kokomo Humane Society.