Sarah J. Pyle Bratton

On September 5, 2022, Sarah J. Pyle Bratton (Sally), passed from this life to the next. She was a devoted wife and life-longfriend to her husband of 60 years, and a supportive and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Sally grew up in Kokomo, Indiana and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1956. She attended Indiana University, Bloomington and received a B.S. and M.A in Education. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. She taught High School English and speech at several Indianapolis area high schools. With the birth of her first son, she became a full-time stay-at-home mom. When her sons were older, she used her love of history and teaching and worked at Conner Prairie. She could often be found cooking in either the Conner House Kitchen or the blacksmith’s kitchen. She then took a position as the music secretary at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. She later became the office manager of her husband Bob’s dental practice. Her last title was that of the wedding coordinator atSecond Presbyterian Church .

Sally was passionate about music and her flowers. She loved to sing whenever she had a chance. She started in high school choir and sang throughout her life. She was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church choir for more than 35 years. She also enjoyed playing the piano and the dulcimer in her Conner Prairie days. Sally also loved to tend to her flower garden. She spent countless hours in the summer watering and tending to theflowers she planted around the yard. Throughout the year, she tended to the many indoor plants she had. She had a room in the house filled with plants of all varieties that the family referred to as the plant room.

Sally also enjoyed traveling throughout her life. She went on countless road trips with her parents growing up. She took her first European trip after graduating IU in 1960. She traveled with her family to the beaches in Florida on many occasions and they spent several summers at the Don K Ranch in Colorado with friends. She and Bob later took many trips to Europe with friends visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, and Switzerland. She also took a cruise through the Panama Canal.

Sally always wanted those close to her to know she was thinking of them and cared about them. Whether it was a small gift, a note, a card she made, a phone call, or just a hug, Sally wanted people to know they were loved.

Sally is preceded in death by her life-long best friend and husband of 60 years Bob Bratton, who passed away five days before her. They first met when they were both less than one year old and have been friends for as long as anyone can remember. Sally is also survived by her two sons and their spouses John and Patricia Bratton and Eric Bratton and Ed Wang; eight grandchildren – Nicole, Aubrey, Daniel, Chelsea, Lucas, Lynette, Sy, and Ayla; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by countless friends who she loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to the Howard County Historical Museum.

Family and friends are invited to gather from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, September 6 at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, September 7 at Second Presbyterian Church, with additional visitation at 9:00 am until the time of service. Burial to follow at Carmel Cemetery.