Paul W. Silke, 90

BROWNSBURG – Paul W. Silke, 90, of Brownsburg, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012.
He was born July 27, 1921, in Elberfield to William and Florence McSwane Silke.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Evansville and master’s 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 the 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 also a member of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and the church choir.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Martha Silke; a daughter, Gaylia (Silke) Bitner; his brothers, Don and James Silke and a grandson. Evan Sipe.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Silke; children Dr. Terry Silke (Sarah), Hal Ayer (Shelley), Laurie Ayer Sipe (Jim) and Brent Ayer (Pam); a brother, Gary Silke (Alice) and his grandchildren, Brook and Christina Silke, Elizabeth Bitner, Kylie, Samantha, Lauren, and Lindsey Ayer, Alex and Shelby Sipe and Shane, Sydney and Alyson Ayer.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Avon. Entombment will be at West Ridge Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at Matthews Mortuary in Brownsburg.
Messages of condolence may be left online at www.matthewsmortuary.com.