Sandra Altenburger

Sandra Marie (Strawser) Altenburger, 66, of Van Wert, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, Dec. 6, 2016, after a valiant battle with heart and lung problems. She was born Feb. 19, 1950, to David W. and Mildred I. (Rohlf) Strawser, who preceded her to heaven. Sandy attended Blue Creek Local and then Lincolnview High School, graduating in 1968. She was also a graduate of Northwest Business College in Lima. Sandy was a waitress for part of her life and then worked at Eaton Corporation, where she subsequently retired. She was a faithful member of The First United Brethren Church in Christ and will be sadly missed by Pastor Jody Harr and her fellow parishioners.

Sandy is survived by her husband, James Altenburger; sisters, Frances (Roger) Gates, Alice Odaffer and Ruby Hollingsworth; a half-sister, Grace Ann (Mel) Baker; brothers, Gerald (Etta) Strawser and Gale Strawser; her son, Brent Strawser; daughters, Jodi Strawser, Nicole Blythe, Casey Blythe; step-daughters, Stacy (Tony) Gress and Kelly (Matt) Greve; and son-in-law, Luis Villalpando; grandsons, Drew and Bradie Strawser, Tony Oliver and Ke'Andre and Kelby Blythe; granddaughters, Erika, Saige, and Alexandra Strawser; Hope, Kailey, and Jordanne Blythe; Anna, Avary, Natalie, and Eleanor Gress; and Alaina and Delaney Greve; great-grandchildren, Donovan and Savannah Strawser, as well as many well-loved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Besides her parents, Sandy is reunited in heaven with her infant daughter, Christy Strawser, and a younger sister, Cheryl (Richard) Clark.

There will be no viewing or visitation, but a celebration of her life will take place at First United Brethren Church in Christ, Van Wert, on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, from 2 to 5 p.m. for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to The Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

The family would like to express its sincerest thanks to The Ohio State University Hospital medical staff and to all the other caregivers who helped Sandy achieve a better quality of life in the past few years.