Sandra Sue “Sandie” Johnston

Sandra Sue “Sandie” Johnston, 59, of Winamac, passed away at home Tuesday, March 24. 

Sandie was born on July 19, 1960, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to Paul and Sue (Lucas) DeGroot. In 1971, the DeGroot family moved to Winamac. In her youth, Sandie loved to ride horses. She graduated from Winamac High School in 1978. She retired from the Will County Sheriff’s Department in Will County, Illinois, where she had served as a 911 dispatcher. Sandie will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her son Thomas [Laurin] Johnston of Steger, Illinois; grandchildren: Faith, Kylie, Kara, and Gavin; mother Sue (Lucas) DeGroot of Winamac; father Paul [Sheryl] DeGroot of Winamac; sisters: Samantha [Aaron] Malchow of Francesville, and Sheri Gaillard of Winamac; brother Perry [Katie] DeGroot of Winamac; stepsisters: Kelly [Mike] Bierrum of Star City, and Kim [Kevin] Podell of Winamac; several nieces and nephews; and companion Glenn Sommers of Winamac. 

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather Joseph Lucas; maternal grandmother Mae [Herman] Piacentini; and paternal grandparent Teresa [Herman] DeGroot.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. 

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

(Pulaski County Journal — April 1, 2020)