Sandra Lou Small

Sandra Lou Small, 75, beloved wife of Bernard (Bud) Small, resident of Marshall County, IN, near Koontz Lake, a former resident of St. Cloud, FL and Steger, IL, were they were bound in Vows of Matrimony at St. Libouris Church, Steger, IL on July 30, 1994, passed into Heaven December 1, 2017 from St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, IN. She was born December 22, 1941 and widowed from marriage to Ronald Eason of Monee, IL in July of 1991. Sandra was the mother to: Allen Eason, husband to Anita and father to Jennifer, Michael, Marissa and Jeremy; Randy Eason, husband to Linda and step-father to April and Aaron; Donald Eason, father to Kristopher; Jolee Buckner (Eason), wife to Scott and mother to Tatiana. Sandra was born in St. Anne, IL to father, Ronald and mother, Ellie Vandebocuer and became the oldest sister of 15 children. Surviving children and spouses are: Bucky Vadebocuer, deceased spouse Devon (Toots); Dale Vadebocuer; Sue, wife to Raymond Lennertz; Wendy, wife of Edward Sandlin; Colleen, wife of Lynn Sass; Karen Kozinski; and Carol, wife of Steven Bastic. Sandy had many grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and was special grandmother to Tatiana Buckner, who was held in Sandy's arms and told of her love on the evening of her death. Sandy attended St. Dominic Church at Koontz Lake with Bud and participated in activities sponsored by the church; especially the sewing group. She was an avid seamstress and used to make all kinds of things for charitable groups. Her need at times for help was her very patient friend, Peg Furman, who was dear to her. Peg used to visit her these past two months at Miller's Merry Manor Nursing Home about every day and always left with prayer. Sandy had many friends from church and her life living at the lake and her final years close to the lake. She enjoyed all the vegetables her husband grew and took great pleasure in cleaning beans and skinning tomatoes for sauce when she could stand. She enjoyed viewing gardens and flowers and especially the cut flower bouquets her husband would bring for table viewing. Sandy used to be able and very good at cooking, but the onset of Alzheimer,s after her first cancer therapy 15 years ago, prevented her from doing that. She would cast a comment or two to Bud on his recipes, but always ate it all, plus seconds. We give thanks to several home health aides that helped Sandy over the years, especially Melissa Brill, who provided love and friendship until Sandy went to the hospital and nursing home, and also to the nurses, aides and therapists at Miller's Merry Manor who cared for Sandy. Sandy was very happy to be coming home from the nursing home on November 30th, but her fall and broken neck aggravated by her Afib changed that. She was in such duress and pain at the hospital for several days until she passed away when GOD called and ended her suffering. Sandy had nothing but love for all and Bud was happy to share that with friends she made. She used to enjoy visits from Bud's Ham Radio friends, as he shared his radio station and towers with them, as she helped pull wire and assemble antennas, prior to her illness with cancer. She always knew of safety in her home from lightning, that Bud did. Sandy was a homemaker most of her life while she raised children. She did have a few factory jobs early in her marriage to Ronnie Eason. I hope and pray Ronnie is happy with Bud loving and caring for her these past 25 years. He is seeing her again at the side of our GOD. Having Sandy at my side these past 25 years has been such a joy and challenge caring for her. I am so thankful for all she did for us and am heartbroken with her passing. I hope the family will continue to be part of my life in coming years and hope they don't feel anger that I let their mother down when I put her in the nursing home, which Sandy hated the thought of needing. AMEN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. CST at St. Dominic Church at Koontz Lake, IN. Burial will follow at Grovertown Cemetery, where Sandy will be buried next to our dear friends from Koontz Lake. Friends may call Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel. Flowers are not necessary, but contributions to the Alzheimer's Association would be nice. To leave online condolences, visit rannellsfuneralhome.com.

Sandra Lou Small

December 22, 1941 - December 1, 2017