Sandra “Tutu” Hartlerode, 72, of Valparaiso, Indiana passed away Friday, June 5, 2026, at Brickyard Health Care in Merrillville. She was born January 7, 1954, in East Chicago, Indiana to Pedro & Frances (Melendes) Martinez and graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1972. Sandra made her career as an Account Manager with Prudential Insurance for over 25 years which took her to Houston, Texas before returning north to Chicago to finish her career with Blue Cross.
Sandy was a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Valparaiso where she had taught the “Littles” 3-year-old class. She enjoyed music, especially 70’s soft rock, in which she included the Rolling Stones, Eagles, Carpenters and Jackson Five. But it was her grandsons that brought true joy into her life in recent years.
Survivors include her daughter, Erin (Mark) Michalski, grandsons, Noah & Thomas, siblings: Pete (Jan) Martinez, Olga Koch, Sally Zein, Robert (Kathy) Martinez, Patti Thomas (Paul Arvidson), and many loving nieces, nephews & friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers-in-law: Mike Zein & Ken Koch.
A visitation will be held Thursday, June 18th from 9 – 11 am at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso with burial following at Angelcrest Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Autism Society of Indiana, 10255 Commerce Dr., Suite 164, Carmel, IN 46032.
