Everett Sandefur, 81, died May 10 at Community Hospital in Munster after a massive heart attack.

Nobody but the doctors who treated him believed the news. The day of his cardiac infarction, he was working out. He walked and exercised regularly, ate wisely and appeared to be in great health. But beyond that, friends and family expressed shock that this vibrant octogenarian could have left the planet so soon. He led a long, colorful and eventful life and seemed to laugh his way through it.

Born the oldest son to Marge Lloyd and Thurlow Gray in Flat Rock, Ky., Everett Sandefur was the life of every party, a patriot, veteran, candy addict, husband, father, grandfather and born salesman who, as his sister, Sherry Gray Havlin of Griffith recounted,” could tell stories better than anyone— and always had one.”

Everett, known to friends and family members as “Doogie,” spent his early years in Evansville, Ind., but grew up in East Chicago. He attended East Chicago Roosevelt High School, but left at 16 after lying about his age to join the U.S. Army. He served in Germany, and earned a GED after returning.

His sister, Sherry, said the two were always close despite being seven years younger.

“He was very protective of me and would say something if someone cursed around me. When we both worked at St. Margaret’s, he made sure everyone treated me with respect. My big brother had a beautiful personality and could always find something good about a person. I think he’d do anything for me,” she said.

Later, Everett became an ironworker, studied at Indiana University Northwest and worked for years at St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond in the maintenance department. Eventually, he gravitated to industrial parts sales and ended his career as a star salesman with Hammond Machine Works.

His boss and the company president and friend, Peter Nau, said Everett worked for the firm for 23 years. Nau said Everett was distinguished by his character, loyalty, sincerity and a great sense of humor.

“He had a talent for remembering people, their names, their family members. It still stands out to me, the very real interest he had in people. That’s a gift,” he recalled.

Nau also recollected Everett’s fascination with trivia, random isolated facts just stuck in his brain.

“If you traveled with him on road trips making sales calls, he shortened the journey,” Nau said. “I lost many $10 bets challenging his memory. And if you were driving with him, he would croon out songs. It didn’t matter what era, he seemed to know every word to every song.”

He remembered serious, soulful conversations they shared life and how they wanted to be remembered.

“Everett said: ‘I would like to be remembered as a gentleman.’ He thought that was one of the highest compliments a man could be paid because it encompassed integrity, humility and honesty,” Nau said. “I’m blessed to have crossed paths with Everett.”

Everett Sandefur is survived by his wife, Susan Meyer of Munster; daughter Maud Skibbe (Frank Schneider) of Waghaeusel, Germany Kim (Don) Bianco of Crown Point; and son Colin (Alyssa) Sandefur of Munster; grandchildren Cameron and Brandon Bianco of Crown Point; Lily Skibbe of Weingarten, Germany, and Lucy and Elliott Sandefur of Munster; siblings Sherry Gray Havlin (Larry Havlin) of Griffith, Tim (Tina) Johnson of Pflugerville, Tex., and Shelle Wing of Merrillville; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Steve Kocer of Hammond, and daughter, Sarah Rose Sandefur.

Everett’s daughter, Kim Bianco of Crown Point, said her dad was always a part of her life. The stay-at-home mom said: “No matter what, my dad was always on my team. Whatever I needed or wanted to do, he was supportive and loyal. I have so many good memories of him. My friends love him. He made everyone feel part of his family.”

Kim Bianco recalled that when she was a girl every Easter felt magical.

“I couldn’t wait to get home from Sunday school because he’d always leave an Easter basket on my front porch with a rabbit in it. It was really special, such a sweet memory,” she said. “Dad always had this crazy ability to make you feel like you’d known him forever. As humans, we’re always craving those connections and he made them happen. I’ll miss him so much.”

Son Colin Sandefur said his father “was always on my side and always there for me. He was my best friend and in my corner,” Colin said. “As a grown man I talked to him almost every day. He wanted a relationship with me and I did with him. He’d stop over every day for coffee and drop the kids off from school every day.”

He said his father got better with age.

“He spent the last year or so trying to heal any wounds and became more introspective. He attended my kids’ sporting events and always worried about making them tough, so the world wouldn’t take advantage of them.”

He said people will remember his father as a loyal, caring friend who genuinely liked people and enjoyed his relationships with others.

“That’s what mattered most to him,” he said. “If you were a friend, you were on his team and he always stuck by his friends.”

Everett’s wife, Susan Meyer, said her husband faced many serious challenges throughout his life and met those with resilience and strength, “And always with a smile. Even through the death of our child (Sarah) he was able to bring a smile of comfort. Everett had quick wit that could brighten any room and bring solace, cheer and laughter to others. Above all, he loved his family and treasured the time he spent with them. Especially in his retirement years, he wished he could roll back the clock and spend more time with his family and friends.”

Visitation will be on Friday, May 15, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN. Funeral service will be on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 5:00 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave. Munster, IN. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org) in his memory would be appreciated.

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