Andrew Joseph Sandala

We would like to announce the hiring of Andrew “Andy” Sandala as the Executive President of Lawn Care and Principal Shop Teacher in Heaven. Andrew Sandala served the past 92 years on earth where he managed to manicure his lawn and those of his five children to the envy of those around him. Like an Energizer bunny, Andy could teach shop class all day, mow a lawn, screen print shirts and make trophies for the area swim clubs, baseball/softball leagues, play a round of golf, and manage to cheer on his kids and grandkids with the many sports and activities they enjoyed while growing up. Andy learned all about shop projects when he attended Ball State Teacher’s College. He then spent the next 35 years with Anderson Community Schools as an industrial arts teacher. Andy could be found coaching many years and giving back to his community where he could. It appears Andy was not always on the golf course as he managed to have seven children with his college sweetheart Susann Theresa Dickman Sandala. This past month they celebrated 64 years of marriage. Surviving children are Beth (Steve) Sweet, Nancy (Chris) Allen, Ron (Ruthie) Sandala, Jill (Jon) Johnson, and Scott (Dawna) Sandala. A great birthday celebration happened this week in heaven where Andy spent his 92nd birthday with his infant twin daughters, Mary Ann and Maria Ann, his parents Michael and Maria Sandala, first generation immigrants from Hungary, as well as his twelve siblings. Andy, the last one to survive from his immediate family, uniquely passed away the very same day that his oldest brother Michael was born in 1912. Life was an interesting journey for Andy. He graduated from Froebel High School in Gary, Indiana. Next, the Chicago Cubs asked Andy to try out and when he didn’t hear from them, he joined the Air Force and served from 1948-1952. As luck would have it, he was actually called back in for the Cubs but had already joined the Air Force so that opportunity was officially a strike-out. He was stationed at Erding Air Force Base in Germany. Andy played baseball, basketball and football while in the service. He enjoyed entertaining the troops and seeing the world. Andy loved sports with his favorite teams being Notre Dame, Chicago Cubs, Colts and IU basketball. As an avid golfer for over 50 years, his great love was on the green grass of Edgewood Golf Club. However, each Sunday he could be found at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Andy, your nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren will think fondly of you as you left a legacy of hard work, a great sense of humor, and a generous spirit. While we won’t have the opportunity to receive any more special gifts of money or spare change, please know that we won’t eat an apple, popsicle, or chocolate without thinking of you. We’ll remember that a good polka dance will never go out of style and if we need courage, Walker Texas Ranger might have the answer because “That guy can do anything!” We promise that we will “try” and fix everything ourselves and enjoy creating things with our hands. We won’t take for granted our education and the value of a dollar. We too will be generous people because like you, we can’t take it with us. They took great care of you at Primrose Retirement Community and Heartland Hospice Care these past few years but alas it was your time to go home. Enjoy the 19th hole! See you soon but hopefully not too soon. If folks would enjoy stopping by and sharing your memories of Andy and the family, you will find us at: Brown Butz Diedring Funeral Home, 515 E 53rd Street, Anderson, IN 46013 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm on Friday, November 16th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 17th at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anderson, Indiana. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Heartland Hospice Care, 931 East 86th Street, Suite 208, Indianapolis, IN 46240.