Sally Jo Poston

Sally Jo Mitchell (Milbourn, Poston), 78, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 6:10 p.m. at the home of her daughter Melanie in Haubstadt, Indiana, surrounded by love after a long, courageous battle with COPD and a recent diagnosis of vascular dementia.

Sally was born on December 21, 1947, in Sullivan, Indiana. She graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis in June 1966.

Throughout her life, Sally found many ways to care for people. Whether she was greeting travelers at the Evansville Airport or simply offering a comforting presence to someone in need of a listening ear, caring for others came naturally to her. She loved her customers, but more importantly, she genuinely loved people. Sally had a heart with room for everyone. As one of her dear friends once said, “Some people collect coins. Others collect artwork. Well, Sally collected friends.”

And that was our Momma.

She collected friends everywhere she went—lifelong companions, acquaintances met along the way, and people who started out as complete strangers. Sally had a gift for making everyone feel seen and valued. She remembered their names, cared about their lives, shared their laughter, and welcomed them warmly into her world.

Above all else, her greatest treasure was her family.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Paris Mitchell, and her sisters, Shirley Richardson and Paula Milburn-Cook.

Sally is survived by her loving fiancé, Larry Ziliak, who held a very special place in her heart; her brother, Ron Ellis; and her three daughters, Melissa Edwards, Michelle Milbourn, and Melanie Daisey (George). She was a proud Nana to Ashley Peterson (Mohamed Nabih), Tiffany Coulombe (Alex), Daniel Milbourn (Morgan Masters), Heidi Milbourn (Collin Noble), Benjamin Morris, Abigail Daisey (Connor Hutchings), and Jax Daisey. Being a Great-Nana brought her another unique kind of joy, and she leaves behind her great-grandchildren—Emma, Alilynn, Waylon, Ryder, Lainey, and Callum—who will grow up carrying stories and cherished memories of their Great-Nana with them.

There are so many things we will miss about our Momma. We will miss her voice, her easy laugh, her storytelling, and the grace with which she made anyone feel at home. We will miss the daily conversations, the shared memories, and all the quiet moments that seemed so ordinary at the time but now mean the world. Most of all, we will miss simply having her here with us.

Our Momma was not perfect, as none of us are. But she loved deeply, cared fiercely, and never stopped building bridges to the people around her. She had an extraordinary ability to turn strangers into friends, and friends into family. She truly collected friends—and she leaves behind a vast collection of people who loved her dearly.

Her family will carry her love forward. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will tell her stories, her friends will remember her laughter, and her former customers will recall the woman who brightened their travels. Her daughters will hold their Momma in their hearts forever.

Sally, you were loved beyond measure. You were our Momma, our Nana, our friend, our safe harbor, and forever a part of who we are. We are endlessly grateful for every moment, every laugh, and every bit of love you gave us.

Until we meet again, Momma.

Rest peacefully. You have earned your rest.

You were loved by many.

You made a difference.

And you will never, ever be forgotten.

Per Sally’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Old North United Methodist Church Chapel Maintenance, 4201 Stringtown Rd., Evansville, IN 47711, or Heart to Heart Hospice, 610 East Walnut St., Evansville, IN 47713.