Sally A. Alkire

Sally Ann Alkire, age 88, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024 at Franciscan Health in Lafayette. Born November 16, 1936 in Lafayette, she was the daughter of the late Oliver and Marguerite (Dyer) Raub. She graduated from West Lafayette High School and was a 1958 graduate of Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio.

Sally’s passion for both art and music not only led to a career as an art and music teacher at East Tipp High School, later retiring as Lafayette School Corporation’s Elementary Art Supervisor but also to meet a young man with shared interest, James Frederick Alkire. Sally and Jim were married July 23, 1966 at West Lafayette’s First United Methodist Church and celebrated 49 years of marriage until his death in 2015.

Music was an important part of Sally’s life. In addition to teaching, she played organ at her church and was an original member of the Lafayette Orchestra. She could often be found following the Jim Alkire Band at its many performances within our community over the years.

She was an avid bridge player who rarely passed up an opportunity to play, was a 60-year member of PEO Chapter D and served on the board of the Children’s Music Foundation which provides music scholarships for local students in grades 6 through 12.

Surviving is her nephew, Dennis Raub Kruszewski (Mary Gill) of Atlanta, GA; nieces Karen Marie Jaeger (Mark) and Theresa Ann Kruszewski both of Lafayette; great-nephew Cory Kruszewski; great-nieces, Sydney and Kendall Kruszewski; and great-great-nephew, Oliver Kruszewski. Also surviving are Sally’s beloved cats; Pewter, Blackie, Tiger and Squirrel. She was preeceded in death by her husband, parents, and beloved sister, Donnabelle Kruszewski.

Friends may call at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette, IN from 9:30 AM Until the funeral service at 10:30 AM Monday December 16, Fr. Tim Alkire officiating. The interment will follow in Battle Ground Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sally’s memory may be made to the Children’s Music Foundation, Inc. or Humane Society of Greater Lafayette.

Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home is honored to serve the Alkire family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com