Joyce M. Lutes (nee Sabina), age 83 of Griffith, passed away on April 19, 2020. Joyce graduated from Griffith High School in 1955 where she excelled in academics, music and dance and was active in the Girl Scouts. Joyce started Nursing School in 1955 at the Chicago School of Nursing and continued her education at St. Luke's in Chicago, Columbia University in New York and U of I in Urbana. During her Nursing career she worked at St. Catherine's Hospital, opened up the Community Hospital in Munster in 1973 and eventually retired from the Inland Steel Medical Clinic in 1992.  Joyce's favorite professional athletes were Pete Rose, Walter Payton and Michael Jordan. She was a huge Elvis Presley fan. Her two favorite television shows were Family Feud and The Cosby Show.  Over the years Joyce enjoyed playing the organ at Church, golfing, bowling, playing bunco & pinochle and the slot machines. She was a member of St. Mary's Church in Griffith. She enjoyed get-togethers with her high school friends and former nurse co-workers.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Ann (Balazs) Sabina, her brothers Dr. Robert (Darlene) Sabina and Douglas "Duke" Sabina, her brother-in-law Robert Lutes, her sister-in-law Judy Kohler and her pets Clementine and Molly.

She is survived by her husband of almost 45 years Don; her step-children David Lutes, Jeffrey Lutes, Lynda Lutes and Donora (Robert) Gard; grandson James Paul; great-granddaughter Addison Paul; nephew/nieces Cort (Melanie) Sabina, Laura (Paul) Rakos, Margo (Andrew) Wiking, Kristin (Michael) Clark, Elizabeth (Patrick) Monahan; her sister-in-laws Lynn Sabina, Roberta (Joe) Kormendy, Karen (Mike) Kors; brother-in-law Bill Kohler, many great-nieces/nephews, cousins and her beloved pet Katie.

Joyce will be missed by many as she had many many friends and had a heart of gold.

Memorials and/or donations may be given to the Arthritis Foundation or Humane Indiana.

The family is being helped by WHITE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES in Griffith, IN. Private graveside burial services were completed at Chapel Lawn Cemetery in Schererville, IN.

Friends are invited to a Memorial to honor Joyce's life on Saturday August 1, 2020 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM with a "Family & Friend's Remembrance" at 4:00 PM at WHITE FUNERAL HOME located at 921 W. Glen Park Ave. (45th Ave.) Griffith, IN. A Memorial Mass will be held at 12:00 noon at St. Mary's Catholic Church located at 525 N. Broad St., Griffith, IN. Due to the concerns of COVID-19, the family has requested that facial masks are to be worn and please practice safe social distancing.