Obituaries

December 26, 1940 to May 30, 2020

WINAMAC - Joanne C. Sambrooks (Elam), 79, of Winamac, passed at 1:35 p.m., Saturday, May 30, at Hickory Creek at Winamac.

Born Dec. 26, 1940 in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Christine Miller. She grew up in Illinois, where she married her first husband, and they had six children. They raised their family in Chicago.

She is survived by:
Five children: Dean, Michael (Anna), William (Debra), Allen and Katherine (Jason).
Six grandchildren: Jean, Christina, Megan, Michelle, Michael, and Jennifer.
Seven great-grandchildren: Braidyn, Kattalina, JoeJoe, Andrew, Abigail, Ariana and Annalise.
Numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by:
Former husband, but lifelong friend, Allen Edward Elam Sr.
Daughter, Linda Joyce
Granddaughter, Megan Ann
Five sisters, Marilyn Klopp, Muriel Zizzo, Dolores Steinman, Geraldine Leverenz, and Roberta Miller
Three brothers, Marshall Miller Sr., Phillip Miller, Robert Miller
Two half-siblings, Billy and Dorothy Miller
One niece Sandra Klopp
Two nephews, Marshall Miller Jr. and Robert Leverenz.

Mrs. Sambrooks spent about 45 years in Chicago before seeking a new adventure. She made her final home in Winamac where she spent nearly 34 years living on the Tippecanoe River. She was jovial; she had a laugh and a smile that was contagious. While people say these things all the time, she was truly one of a kind. Her life was full of hardships, yet she always persevered for her family. She was well known and admired. She was strong, stubborn and fiercely independent. She lived for others and thrived on being the “center of attention,” not for herself but to make others happy. She was a fan of her daytime TV, where she spent hours watching Jerry Springer and was a Dr. Phil enthusiast. She also was an avid Olympics watcher; she loved watching the figure skating and told tall tales to her grandkids about her “Olympic skating days” being the reason she had bad knees. And after a long day, likely spent outside, she hoped to wind down with a classic Lifetime movie and her pups. She really enjoyed the outdoors and was an absolute animal lover. Camping was one of her most treasured passtimes, where she spent weekends with her family. The Luau weekend at the campground was something she would look forward to all year and the best memories were made. She would ride around on her golf cart for hours looking for big rocks for her garden. She loved the peace her home brought her; it was a place the flock could gather. She went by many names: Mom, Gramma Sam, Grandma Jo, Aunt Joanie, Aunt Jo, Mama E. She was one who said “you can call me anything but don’t call me late for dinner!”

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 12, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A private graveside service will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL. Burial will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or Hickory Creek at Winamac.

Online tributes may be made at www.frainmortuary.com.