Schuyler "Sky" Townsend, age 81, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Sky was born on June 5,1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Stockton Townsend, a CPA in New York City, and Ruth (Muench) Townsend. He moved to Cedarhurst, New York on Long Island when he was 6 months old. He graduated from Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst, New York in 1962, received his Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana in 1966, and earned his Masters Degree in Anthropology from Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana in 1968. He worked for the Shell Oil Company in the accounting department but got drafted to Vietnam December 5, 1969. While in Vietnam, Sergeant Townsend earned a Bronze Star and an honorable discharge in 1970. Sky went on to work for the United States Postal Service for 31 years. He married Karen (Hardley) Townsend on August 1, 2009.
Sky was a kind and generous man. He cared greatly for all of his family, making sure they had everything they needed. He was quick witted and had a loud, infectious laugh. He loved a good "Dad" joke. He enjoyed going to Saturday morning auctions. The absence of his physical presence is painful for everyone that loved him, but his legacy will live on in the hearts, minds and memories of all those left behind.
Schuyler is survived by his wife, Karen Townsend; his children, Mitch Townsend (Shannon), Becca McDole (Dave), Joshua Keller (Christal), Derrick Keller (Jessica), Ashley Keller (Fiancé, Jonathan Winterrowd); his grandchildren, Madaleine Niemi (Michael), Camryn Manfred (Ryan), Ava Townsend, Keighan McDole, Ayden McDole, Haleigh McDole, Morgan Schmitt, Ethan Keller (Kayla), Olivia Woolf (Cole), Cobee Rice, Colt Craig, Amelia Keller, Owen Keller, Austin Davis, Brandon Davis (Javier Torres), Carleigh Davis, Jaxon Underwood, Claire Underwood, Zoe Underwood, Kendall Cottrell; great-grandchild, Theodore Schuyler Green; sister, Barbara Tannahill, of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey; and brother, Stockton (Scott) Townsend, of Campbell, California.
Schuyler was preceded in death by his father, Stockton Woodward Townsend and mother, Ruth Barbara (Muench) Townsend.
A gathering of family & friends for Schuyler will be held Friday, March 14,2025 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service with military honors at 6:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Schuyler's memory may be made to Indy Honor Flight, PO Box 10, Plainfield, Indiana 46168 US, https://www.indyhonorflight.org/.
