Sandra S. Daniels

Sandra Daniels died on June 16, 2026. But before she died, she really lived for 87.90 years. Sandy was born Sandra Sue Burnham July 23, 1938, 3 weeks prematurely, in Fairmont, MN, parented and predeceased by Raymond and Marjorie. On November 1,1958 she married the boy she had known since junior high and dated in high school, Jack Daniels. Jack shared his birth year of 1938 with the now famous whiskey distillery in Lynchburg, TN, and with his bride of 67.65 years. If she had just waited for a normal birth time, they may also have shared a birth date. Waiting wasn’t her strong suit.

Sandy is survived by her husband Jack Daniels and 2 daughters: Lynne (Larry) Woida, Milwaukee, WI; Dixie (Tim) Mills, Oglesby, IL. She is also survived by 3 grandsons: Roger (Patty) Dennis Jr, Lubbock, TX; Robin (Lauren) Dennis, Greenville, TN; and Rusty (Katie) Dennis (with great granddaughter Rylee), Chattanooga, TN. She is also survived by her 2 sisters: Jacqueline McClure, Manassas,VA, and Karen Reinhardt, Green Valley, AZ (with grand nieces/ nephews). And she is survived by her sister-in-law Linda (Tom) Eddie, Roscoe, IL (with great grandnieces/nephews).

Sandy graduated in 1956 from Beloit, WI Memorial high school, known to be a type of ‘Miss Congeniality’, and involved in the majority of activities her school offered.

Sandy and her husband were baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses 12/17/1960. Soon health issues started and finally in 1962 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). For the next 10 years the doctors prescribed what they knew-- steroids, taking her energy & stamina down. Then she tried alternative treatments & medicines to cope with MS & a multitude of more chronic illnesses.

In her healthiest 11 years after using alternative medicals, she auxiliary (part-time) pioneered, devoting more time as a Bible teacher to a community ministry than most regular (full-time) pioneers today. She always looked forward to resuming her Bible studies with her resurrected students in God's new world. She played the piano to guide congregation singing before recorded music became available. She translated local-to-international Bible programs for the deaf before the American Sign Language (ASL) was invented. Sandy was also a hard worker at home, nurturing & befriending both daughters, greeting them when coming home from school every day, richly supporting her husband’s ministerial career & satisfying life, and maintaining her household.

Sandy has many friends in the congregations, who dearly loved her spontaneous, generous, and modest realism, her genuine concern for their well-being, & her trademark smile even into her old age and despite her physical limitations.

No one is absolutely perfect which is why we die, but she was a perfect choice for Jack & the mother of their children. Sandy Daniels will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by all of us, including her God Jehovah, who will soon satisfy his longing to see her alive and well on a paradise earth forever. (Job 14:14,15; Psalm 37:29,11,10; Isaiah 33:24)

A funeral will be held Sunday June 28, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 916 Monks Avenue, Peru IL 61354. Family, friends, and caregivers are invited to attend a visitation from 4:00-4:30pm followed by the funeral program beginning at 4:30pm.

Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Online condolences and Memories may be shared at PtakFH.com