Sandra Lu Silkey, 86, of Princeton, passed away Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Gibson General Hospital in Princeton.

She was born January 5, 1932 in Francisco, IN to Emma (Pavey) Young and Willard Albert "Ab" Young.

She moved to Princeton at a young age.

Sandra (Sandy) graduated from Princeton High School in 1950, active in cheerleading, student council, class officer, class plays, attendant to the football queen, and graduated with honors. She attained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Economics and a Nursing Diploma from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Evansville in 1953. Gibson General Hospital approached her for a job and she started out her career in charge of surgery, recovery, emergency room and central supply. Continuing her education, she obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from the University of Evansville in 1973 while attending night school, raising 2 children, and working full-time.  Sandy obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Evansville in 1983. She also has a Certificate in Materials Management from Chicago University.

Sandy worked at Gibson General Hospital as Surgery Supervisor beginning 1960. She retired from Gibson General Hospital after 42 years of service to babysit her grandson in St. Louis.  She especially loved to spend time with her family at the family cabin on Kentucky Lake. As a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Sandy was a member of the choir, wrote plays, and served as an Elder on the Session, and served as a Clerk of Session for many years.

Sandy grew up during the Great Depression.  Her father was killed in a mining accident at Kings Mine when she was only 2 years old.  She was raised by her widowed mother with four children. Sandy being the oldest child, was very protective of her two brothers Jerry and Junior and sister Bonnie. Her mother would wash clothes to support the family. Many aunts and uncles would also help. On Friday afternoons, her mother would take her to the bus station to sing for the workers. They would clap and give her a penny. When the pennies added up, she would take her brothers to get candy.  That was a special treat!  Sandy was quite talented and even won a Shirley Temple look-alike contest. The prize was a pearl necklace for her mother and a professional photograph for her and brother’s Jerry and Junior.  She had a terrific attitude and always saw the best in everything.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Floyd Silkey, (married 63 years, since 1954) of Princeton; two sons, Joe S. Silkey (Vickey) from St. Louis, MO an Aerospace Engineer with a Master’s degree in Engineering; and Dr. John W. Silkey, D.P.M., M.D., of Wisconsin; one grandson, Lucas Silkey of St. Louis, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Engineering; one brother, Jerry W. Young (Peggy) from Soddy-Daisy, TN; and one beloved sister, Bonnie Sue Potts (Bill), Princeton, IN.  Nephews: Kent Young, Scott Young, Jeff Potts, Kevin Young, Keith Young.  Nieces: Becky Irvine, Kelly Hall, Dede Russell. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and step-father William “Pewee” Herrin and one brother, Willard Young, Jr.

Visitation will be from 4 until 8 pm on Monday evening, February 5, 2018 at the Colvin Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be at 10 am on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at the United Presbyterian Church in Princeton, IN, officiated by Rev. Vanlal Hruaia. Burial will follow at the Walnut Hill Cemetery in Ft. Branch, IN.