Sandra Mae (Sandy) Hortin, 80, of Albion, passed away on June 6, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. She was a loving mother, a deeply adored grandmother, and faithful partner for 61 years.
Sandy was born on May 3,1946, in Olney, IL to Vernon T. and Ethel A. Harris.
Sandy was raised on a small family farm northwest of Albion, IL in the West Village community. She attended Bone Gap Grade School and then Edwards County High School and graduated in May 1964. Sandy then married the love of her life, James
Ray Hortin (Jim), on May 08, 1965. Their early years included a 2-year stay in the Army for Jim and then they returned back to Jim’s family farm where they have continued to farm. In 1967, they welcomed their first child, Tammy, into their family. And then in 1971, Todd was born. Those first few years were spent raising their young family and living in the farmhouse where Jim was raised. Several years later, they moved to the home they always dreamed of having, where Sandy made a wonderful and memorable life for her family. She welcomed anyone who wanted to come and visit, with any subject up for long debate and discussion.
Several years later, Sandy made the choice to return to college where she attended/graduated Frontier Community College with an associate degree; then a bachelor’s degree from ISUE (now known as University of Southern Indiana); and then a master’s degree from University of Evansville. Her education specialized in Clinical Psychology and Social Work. She spent the next 25 plus years working in the mental health field with a specialty in abused children, leaving her “passionate mark” on those she served. Upon retirement, she found new passions such as catching up on years of housework; making several memorable trips with Jim around the US and overseas; taking trips and making visits with her two children and their families; finding more time to chase after grandchildren; and most importantly, helping Jim out daily on the farm.
Sandy was a life-long member of the West Village Christian Church where she was raised. She made a lasting impact there as she lived out her faith by actively participating and by making attendance a priority for herself and her family. Sandy was also a member of the Browns Chapel/Mt. Zion community where she raised her family and taught the values of “a hard work ethic” and “living for Jesus”. Sandy would want most to be remembered by her faith in Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and her unconditional love and devotion to her husband, her children and their spouses, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, James Ray Hortin of Albion, IL; daughter Tammy (Roger) Wehmeyer of Wentzville, MO; son Todd (Alexa) Hortin of Norris City, IL; grandchildren Danielle (Jessie) Borunda, Justin (Phoebe) Wehmeyer, Joel Hortin, and Elise Hortin; great grandchildren Roy Borunda, Hayden Borunda, Louis Wehmeyer, Vincent Wehmeyer, and Owen Weymeyer; her brother Robert(Carol) Harris of Carthage, MO; and several nieces and nephews (all by whom she loved being called “Aunt Sandy”). She was preceded in death by her parents Vernon and Ethel Harris; a sister Betty Oakley; and an unborn child of Vernon and Ethel.
Visitation will be held at West Village Christian Church on June 11 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. A celebration of life will be held on June 12 at 10:00 am at the church with burial at Mt. Zion Cemetery following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pinehaven Christian Ranch and Oil Belt Christian Service Camp.
She will be dearly missed.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wwwnalesfuneralhome.com. Nale’s Funeral Home is honored to serve and support the Hortin family.
