Sally Anne Gaugler

Sally Anne Gaugler (Hiler), 88 years old, resident of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on March 9th, 2026 surrounded by her loving family in their Elkhart home.

November 15th, 1937, Sally Anne was born to the late Clark and Pauline Hiler in Mishawaka where she was raised along with her brothers and sisters, Edward (deceased, married to Sue), Carol (Jack Marx), Jack (Kathy), Tom (deceased), Linda (Jerry Glass), and Pam (Rick Steinborn). As the eldest, she often cared for her younger siblings as a second mom. Sally was the first to follow Christ, and her family followed after. She was a spiritual leader from a young age, and her family looked up to her.

Sally fell in love with Melvin Gaugler, who also was smitten by Sally’s classy beauty, cateyed glasses, high heels, and sweet love for God. They were married on June 30th 1957, and they were the kind of couple people tell stories about. Their relationship was built on their faith in God, and they demonstrated the love of Jesus to their families and everyone else. They served God with all their hearts. Though they did not have much, they worked hard and gave more than they had. Mel was a steady and gentle husband to Sally; she leaned on his strength to get through life’s challenges. Mel preceded her in death in 1989, and she missed him beyond words.

During their first years of marriage, Sally gave birth to Kevin (Eloise), Beth (Mark Thompson), Brad, and Lisa (Paul Holdeman). She and Mel built a loving home for their children and kept God and family at the forefront. Though they started with four children, Sally would become a mother figure to many others, including Ginger and Steve Paczesny. She and Mel opened their home to 7 Navajo students, supporting them through high school, never receiving a penny for their care, but making them a part of the family. The Gaugler house was filled with home-cooked food and lots of laughter. Homegrown corn and asparagus were a staple at their table; Navajo fry bread was a frequent addition. It was a bustling place where anyone felt welcome.

From a young age, Sally was a seamstress. She used her sewing skills as a teacher for

Brethren Christian School as well as in her home, in a furniture upholstery factory (Lux), and Jeanette’s fabric store. Sally taught her daughters to sew as well as their classmates. She made casual, formal and wedding attire for countless friends and family. Sewing was more than a hobby to her; it was a lifestyle to create and share her art with others. She is most famous for the endless quilts she made, but she also loved making children’s clothes, table runners, decorative pillows, wall hangings, Christmas tree skirts, or anything that required stitching. Her home was filled with every type of sewing supply imaginable. Her sisters would go “shopping” in her house for fabric or notions. Her sewing rooms were perfect for all the sewing students she taught, many of whom were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her young students would always begin their sewing journey by making the famed calendar quilts. Eventually, she would attend an annual quilt retreat with her three sisters where everyone marveled at her creations and hilarious interactions with “the sisters”. And sewing club at Calico Point was a highlight for her to show off her recent projects.

While she was a splendid mother, she became the world’s best grandma to 11 grandchildren: Kim (Anthony Butorovic), Kara (Tom Drabczyk ), Benjamin Holdeman (Susie), Michaela (Scott Montie), Alyssa (Timothy Barber), Isaiah Thompson (Kasey), Lindsey (Caleb Schroeder), Tiffany (Jeff Mattheis), Stephanie (Brandon Williamson), Elijah Thompson (Lauren), and Daniel Holdeman (Brooke) (adopted grandkids of Isaac Paczesny, Alex Paczesny (Lindsey), and Megan Paczesny). They were her reason to get up in the morning and her most treasured blessings. She showed her passion for her grandchildren by sewing gifts for them and enthusiastically being part of their lives. She handcrafted her home into a grandkid haven with the famed toy room under the stairs, spare room with squeaky beds, and a kitchen full of snacks. Grandma’s house was made extra special by her collection of fancy tea cups, extensive holiday décor, and constant supply of Breyers ice cream. The ice cream was made extra special with colorful waffle-cone bowls and matching ice cream cone spoons. Her house was the place to be for Sunday afternoon lunches, playing Rummikub or cards, and reading the newspaper. Sleepovers at Grandma’s house were an unplanned must. Her drawer of oversized t-shirts made great pjs, and the grandkids often negotiated who got to sleep where. Grandma Sally made such fun breakfasts that featured bacon always served on the same ugly plastic platter, orange rolls, cherry turnovers or monkey bread. Every holiday was better at Grandma’s house. Every decoration, gift, dessert, and tradition just felt more special because of her.

Eventually, Sally’s grandkids grew up, and along came her great-grandkid era. With 38 great grandchildren, 19 of whom are adopted, and 2 great great-grandkids, Sally was busy. She continued many of the same traditions of sewing quilts for them and giving them tons of ice cream. Sally was skilled at reading children’s stories, and her great-grandkids loved this talent.

The books she read came to life through her magical way of reading.

Sally had the spiritual gift of hospitality. She kept her home and arms open to family, extended family, and friends. Everyone felt welcome at “Aunt Sally’s” house. She showed Christ by giving anything she had to make everyone feel welcome, even foster children who called her Grandma. Her house was often hot, overcrowded and loud. But everyone left full and blessed. Sally Anne Gaugler loved her family splendidly. She faithfully found a way to fill the bottom of the Christmas tree to overflowing every year. She did not focus on herself, but made sure everyone felt the magic of the season. She sewed graduation quilts for each of her grandkids and quilts when they got married. She continued sewing quilts for her great-grandkids as well. These cherished keepsakes are beautiful reminders of her selfless love. She was never happier than when she was with her family. This love was most evident in her final days on earth when tons of family gathered to say goodbye. The smiles she gave to each person as they talked with her on her death bed are memories that will never die. Sally was ready to go to her true home, and her family helped walk her there. She was a precious lady, and she will be desperately missed. But her legacy will continue on with the Christ-centered love she left behind.

A service to celebrate Sally’s life is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9 – 11:30 am, with a service to follow at 11:30, all at First Baptist Church, Mishawaka. A private family burial will follow Monday at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to BIEM (Baptist International Evangelistic Ministries), the ministry with which Kevin works. To light a virtual candle, share a story of Sally’s life, or extend a message of comfort, please visit the Guestbook.

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