Sandra Skinner

Sandra J. (Kloess) Skinner, 93, passed away Tuesday evening September 4, 2025.

She was born in Indianapolis to William O. Kloess and Clara (Eberhart) Kloess on May 16, 1932. Sandy lived in Indianapolis until she moved to Cedar Creek of Franklin Assisted Living in 2022.

She was a 1950 graduate of Southport High School where she met her future husband, Dan Skinner (class of 1948) on the school bus. The first time he saw her he announced that he was going to marry her one day. She just laughed. He was right! They married on August 11, 1950 before he was sent to Korea with the Marine Corps Reserves. They were married nearly 67 years before Dan’s passing in 2017.

While Dan was overseas she worked as a keypunch operator at Indiana Lumberman’s Insurance Company. Upon Dan’s return they got to begin their married life and started a family. Vicki was born in 1952, Dan, Jr. In 1955, and Carolyn in 1957. She enjoyed her years as a stay-at-home Mom and creating a loving and welcoming home.

Sandy and Dan were charter members of Southport Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church (now Tapestry) where Sandy taught 3 year olds Sunday school and served as a deaconess. She and Dan also served on the Hospitality committee and prepared numerous meals for church dinners, funerals and other church functions.

When the children were older Sandy began a part-time sales position at Wm. H. Block Company at Southern Plaza and continued the position through the changes in ownership when the store moved to Greenwood Park Mall as Lazarus Department Store and later Macy’s.

Many summer vacations were spent fishing at Cedar Lake in Aitkin, MN where the family enjoyed nightly dinners of walleye, Northern pike and crappies. In their later years they enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Central America, and throughout the U.S.

After retirement Sandy became a dedicated fitness walker, walking at least 6 miles every daily. She even participated in the Indianapolis mini-marathon when she was in her 70s. They also became active in the Indiana Chapter of the Chosin Few, a Korean War veterans group for those servicemen who survived the Battle at Chosin Reservoir. They traveled to national meetings and were in Washington, DC when the Korean War Memorial was dedicated.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Benona “Bennie” Breedlove of Holmdel, NJ and her brother George “Daniel” Kloess of Nashville, TN.

She is survived by her three children Vicki (David) Ray, Indianapolis; Daniel (Janet) Skinner, Greenfield; and Carolyn (Michael) Ausbrooks, Indianapolis.

Four grandchildren Alicia (Eric) Rothman, Raleigh, NC, Aaron Ray, Indianapolis, Stephanie (Chase) Wilson, Brownsburg and Evan (Kayla) Ausbrooks, Indianapolis survive.

She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Sophie Soleil, Ava Wilson, Adalyn Ausbrooks, and Luke Ausbrooks. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Services will be held at Indiana Funeral Care, 2433 E. Main St., Greenwood on Monday, November 10 with visitation from 11 am-1 pm and service to begin at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Greenwood at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Greater Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E. 91st St, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240