Irvin Sandlin

Irvin has now been reunited with the true Queen of his world, Vesta Elizabeth (Bruner) Sandlin, after spending an almost unbearable sixteen years without her by his side. Irvin is also blessed to be in the company of his parents, Sidney Allen Sandlin and Orgie Marie (Mullins) Ellis “Mom Ellis”, his beautiful daughters, Peggy Lois (Sandlin) Ritchie, Carylon Ann Sandlin, and Brenda Sue Sandlin, also his grandson, Michael Hezekiah Asher, brothers, Wallace Sandlin, Brady Sandlin, Alvin Sandlin, and sister, Edna Sandlin.

Irvin left a legacy nearly impossible to fill, remaining to take on that feat is his loving daughter and caretaker of many years, Linda Lou Sandlin Arrowood, Siblings; Alma Sandlin, Bill Sandlin, Bertie (Sandlin) Daniels, Avenell (Sandlin) Foreman, Richard Sandlin, Sella Sandlin, Glauda Sandlin, Maddie Sandlin, Edith Sandlin, Wilkie Sandlin, and Jeffrey Lucas. Beloved grandchildren, Roger Irvin Mayhugh, Kristine Mayhugh, Marlisa Swinehart, Rex Spiker, Gregory Arrowood, Victoria Arrowood, Nicholas Asher, Nygah Neace, Neamiah Neace, and Shawnda Arrowood; Irvin’s pride and joy his great grandchildren, Shawn Mayhugh, Emily Payne, Kaitlin Spiker, Nathan Swinehart, Ethan Spiker, Brendan Swinehart, Ashton Mayhugh, Jonathon Mayhugh, Cody Mayhugh, Portia Arrowood, Alexander Arrowood, Mya Asher, Temperance Arrowood, and Evin Mullis.

Irvin was born May 1, 1932 in Green Ridge, Kentucky, he was stubborn and a hard worker since the day he entered into this world. He was the oldest brother of fifteen siblings. Hailing from the holler of Kentucky, he matured into this role rather quickly. Irvin pursued his education until the age of thirteen when he started working in the coal mines with his father. Irvin became skilled at dynamite blasting and inevitably this skill would allow him to stay stateside during World War II as he was more important in the coal mines than serving overseas.

When Irvin turned seventeen his friend offered him the chance to go to Detroit to work in the factories there. He didn’t miss a beat, went into their home and took his father’s new Doc Martin shoes and nothing else but the clothes on his back and set out on his first big venture. Irvin returned back to Kentucky not long after due to the affordability in the big city and the fact he couldn’t stand the cold. When he returned home his father looked at his mother and said, “Look Orgie, the hound dog returned”. Irvin reclaimed his position working in the coal mines while still calculating and planning his next conquest.

While walking Pert Creek, Irvin saw the prettiest girl he ever laid eyes on. She was new to the creek, but she was as stubborn and headstrong as he was and Irvin would try to talk to her and court her but she would scream and holler at him to get out of there and leave her alone. She would come to throw rocks at him every time he tried to approach her and she proclaimed that she would rock him all the way down the creek yelling, “Get outta here! I don’t wantchou”. Irvin began frequently seeing her riding her horse up and down the creek, no matter how much she protested his attempts to court her, he was ever persistent. Eventually he wore that pretty girl down and got her to come with him to the “courting rock”. That pretty girl came to be his loving wife, Vesta Elizabeth. They married on July 27, 1950 and moved into his childhood home.

Irvin and Vesta had their first daughter Brenda Sue in 1952 before moving to central Indiana for more employment opportunities. Irvin had a number of different skills and trades he tried such as: Lineman, painting water towers before he developed a fear of heights, upholstery factory, and a truck driver. Vesta worked at the box factory amongst other places. They moved back to Kentucky in 1957 after having their second daughter, Carolyn Ann in 1956. They welcomed another daughter in 1958, Peggy Sue, after having to steal away from the hospital in the middle of the night for nonpayment of the hospital bill for the delivery of Peggy Sue, they returned to Indiana for the final time. Being a man of his word and never dishonest, Irvin did eventually return to the hospital and pay the bill that was owed. In 1960, they welcomed their last beloved daughter, Linda Lou completing their family.

Irvin began hauling concrete tile for Maxwell tile company until he saved enough to buy his own truck. Irvin’s next venture would be to save enough to buy his first bulldozer. In 1970, Irvin founded Sandlin Construction. When one of his daughter’s suitor’s returned from Vietnam, Irvin put him to work running his machines. Irvin would soon acquire a semi and trailer to haul his machinery to far off jobs, a trencher, and backhoe. Most of the men in his daughter’s lives would find their way on Irvin’s payroll. Irvin was able to provide jobs to his son in laws, grandsons, family friends, etc… Irvin was able to keep his daughter’s in homes and kept his grandchildren in school and with school supplies and virtually never wanting for anything.

In 1977, he bought the home he would retire in and ran his business there until he finally dissolved it in 2020. He never would stop working completely though. He bought his favorite machine in 2010, his excavator. Finally Irvin’s body forced him to stop running his beloved machinery and take the last years of his life pretty easy. He loved to be with his family and watch his grandkids and great grandkids grow. He loved spending time with his daughter taking rides to Kentucky or giving her a hard time when he had to be taken to the doctor.

Irvin was witty, funny, gentle, and kind. He was also stern and had a temper in his younger years. He had a strength and drive in him that will be forever unmatched. He was the best father, the most loving husband, the most watchful big brother, and the ultimate papaw. Irvin was everything a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son should be. The most generous man and the last true family man. Irvin was the glue that held his family together.

In every sense of the words, he will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Our worlds are not quite as bright now that his presence isn’t shining in them.

A visitation for Irvin will be held Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary, 1307 N. Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana 46219.

A funeral service will occur Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 1:00 PM, 1307 N. Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana 46219.

Irvin will claim his rightful eternal resting place next to his long awaiting Queen and surrounded by his princesses in Park Cemetery, 621 S. State Street, Greenfield, Indiana 46140.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.feeneyhornakshadeland.com for the Sandlin family.