JoAnne Samila, age
86, of Chesterton, IN, formerly of East Chicago, IN, passed away peacefully
at her home on Thursday, June 20, 2019. She was surrounded by her family.
She was born on
March 30, 1933 in Indianapolis, IN, to Joseph D. Lambert and Lorena (Mayes)
Lambert, both of whom preceded her in death. She had one brother, James
Lambert, who also preceded her in death.
On September 2,
1950, in East Chicago, IN, she married Charles James Samila, who preceded
her in death on November 20, 2011.
She is survived by
her loving children: Charles (Norma) Samila, Jr. of Porter, IN, Diane (Bill
Sr.) Cooley of Valparaiso, IN, Suzi (Dan) Galvin of Chesterton, IN and John
(Laura Heller) Samila of Porter, IN; her grandchildren: Jenny Fine, Stefanie
Willet, Carrie Samila, Cheryl Cooper, Bill Cooley Jr., Andi Cooley, Loren
Ellis, Patrick Galvin, Tanner Samila, Macy Samila, and Zoe Samila; her 13
great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and by her many nieces and
nephews.
JoAnne was a member
of Saint Patrick Catholic Church for many years. She was involved with the
church’s grief ministry. She was a dedicated member of the local W. H.
Harrison Chapter of the DAR. She was an avid knitter and enjoyed knitting
scarves for military veterans through “Operation Gratitude”. Besides her
love of reading, JoAnne was best known for her love of her family. She was a
dedicated Mom to her children and a very active Grandma to her many grand
and great-grandchildren. She was always available to serve her family
whenever they needed her, and she had a gift of imparting loving counsel and
sound wisdom to everyone who sought it from her.
Visitation at
White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd Street, Chesterton, IN, will be held on
Monday, July 8, 2019, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. The family will have a
Memorial Service beginning at 6:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian
Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Saint Patrick
Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Road, Chesterton, IN with Fr. Jon Plavcan
officiating. Burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers,
memorial donations may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, W.
37th Place, Chicago, IL 60609, or to Hospice of the Calumet Area, 600
Superior Drive, Munster, IN 46321.