AMBS, JoAnn Gruber, 85, of Louisville, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2015. JoAnn was a graduate of U of L School of Music with a Bachelor of Arts. She performed in Summer Stock, radio, television (for “Songs of Faith”) and toured with the USO. She was a member of COMEK, MENC, and KMEA, where she served as KMEA District 12 President. She was a dedicated choral educator for JCPS with many years served at Waggener High School and Westport Middle School. JoAnn also served as choral director for many years at Shawnee Christian Church and was a member of Beargrass Christian Church. She was state choral chair-person for Delta Kappa Gamma and President of the Alpha Chapter. She was soloist for the first opera at U of L which initiated the KY Opera Association. Many of her honors include the KMEA Distinguished Service Award, Teacher of the Year, and Certificate of Merit. Aside from her many accolades, she was most dedicated to her family that brought her the most joy. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Marvin Nellis Ambs; parents, Joseph and Clara Gruber; brother, Joe Gruber; and sister, Clara Lindauer.
JoAnn is survived by her children, Marvin Kevin Ambs, Hurst, TX, Steven William Ambs (Christine), Keith Andrew Ambs, both of Louisville, Karen Leigh Davis (Richard), Bedford ,KY; brother, John Gruber (Dolores), of Louisville; sister-in-law, Bogda Gruber; niece, Gloria Gruber, both of Los Angeles, CA; nephew, Mark Gruber (Vicki), Dayton, OH; grandchildren, Daniel (Jessica), Michael and Noah (Jennifer) Ambs, of TX, Andrew, of GA, Matthew, of Louisville, Allison and Shelby Davis, Bedford, KY, Darren Ambs (Amanda), Harrodsburg, KY and Melissa Velasco (Anthony), of Louisville; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter with two more on the way.
Her funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 7 at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd. with burial to follow in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Friday at Highlands. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society and U of L School of Music.