Paul W. Silke
Brownsburg, passed away Jan. 31, 2012. He was born July 27, 1921 in Elberfeld, IN to William and Florence McSwane Silke. He received his bachelor degree from University of Evansville and masters degrees from Indiana State University and Indiana University. He had been the band director at Tell City High School from 1945-67 and band director and counselor at Ben Davis High School from 1967-85. Tell City High School Band was the first high school band to be on national television at Chicago Music Land Festival and they marched in the Presidential Parade in 1961. Mr. Silke had been president of IMEA and received the IBA Hall of Fame award in 1995. He was also a member of the Indiana Band Association and Phi Beta Mu Music Fraternity. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Martha Silke; daughter Gaylia Silke Bitner; brothers Don and James Silke; grandson Evan Sipe. He was also a member of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and the church choir. Survivors include wife Phyllis Silke; children Dr. Terry Silke (Sarah), Hal Ayer (Shelley), Laurie Ayer Sipe (Jim), Brent Ayer (Pam); brother Gary Silke (Alice); grandchildren Brook and Christina Silke, Elizabeth Bitner, Kylie, Samantha, Lauren, and Lindsey Ayer, Alex and Shelby Sipe, Shane, Sydney and Alyson Ayer. Visitation will be from 4-8pm Mon. Feb. 6 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, with funeral services 11am Tues. Feb. 7 at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Avon. Entombment will be at West Ridge Park Cemetery.