Sandra J. Hunter

Sandra Jo (Stephens) Hunter “Sam”, 80, of Evansville, IN passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021 at North Park Rehabilitation. She was born on June 1, 1940 to Joe and Lucy (Patmore) Stephens in Tell City, IN. Her family moved to Evansville in 1944 where Sandra attended Henry Reis Grade School, and graduated from Central High School in 1958.

She started at Old National Bank in 1957 when she was 17 years old and 43 years later retired in 2000. She was in the credit card department her whole career as Supervisor then Manager and an Officer of the Bank. Old National was the third bank in the country to start a credit card program called ONB Charge in 1953. It was at the Bank she received the nickname “Sam.”

She married the love of her life, John Michael Hunter, on July 20, 1963. Together they had a set of twins, Lisa and Joie in 1965. The family traveled to all fifty states and later all 50 state capitols. “Sam’s” favorite place was Monument Valley and the National Parks out west.

“Sam” loved sports – while her twins were in high school she helped form and was an officer of the Bosse Kennel Club. She had followed the Bosse Basketball teams for the last 42 years. She also has had season tickets to the U of E Men’s basketball games for the past thirty-one years. She was known as the three high five lady at both schools. She was the second of three generations of NY Yankee Fans.

“Sam” retired early because of her husband John’s cancer. During retirement she became a Mesker Park Zoo Docent. She loved animals and handled many different animals (including endangered ones) during her docent years at the Zoo. One of her biggest thrills, was riding in a jeep out west in the buffalo herd used in the “Dances with Wolves” movie.

Over “Sam’s” life span, she met over 500 celebrities. Musicians, Actors, and Athletes. When Rock n Roll started in her teen years, she stated “this is why I was born.” She was close friends with many of the fifties and sixties performers, visiting with them and traveling to their shows with her twins (especially Freddy Cannon, Johnny Tillotson, Tommy Sands, and Frankie Avalon).

“Sam” is preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, John Michael Hunter; parents, Joe and Lucy Stephens; and her sister, Beverly Thomas of Vincennes.

She is survived by her twins, Lisa and Joie Hunter of Evansville, David Decker, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

“Sam’s” family would like to thank the staff at North Park Nursing Center for their care and compassion while in rehab. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Alexander East Chapel. Burial will follow at Little Zion Cemetery. Friends may visit on Monday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Mesker Park Zoo.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.