Sandra Kay Carnahan, age 78 of Continental, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at St. Rita’s Mercy Medical Center in Lima, Ohio – surrounded by her family.
She was born on May 9, 1945 to Cleatis and Carrie (Morrison) Dotson in Lima, Ohio. She treasured spending her time with her five children, fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who have always been a huge part of her life. Sandy was a homemaker, raising her kids and spent most of her life doing what she loved most, making crafts. Sandy had limitless creativity. She enjoyed trying every type of art form and craft out there and enjoyed going to craft shows to sell what she made. She loved to make quilts, sew, crochet, knit, paint, make cards and most of all, she loved giving what she made to others. She loved sharing her creativity with her family and even held fashion shows with her grandchildren. She also loved nature and gardening. Sandra was a very talented artist and enjoyed teaching others her craft. She taught others how to make her iconic corn-husk dolls at Four County Vocational School, Sauder Village, and was also a Girl Scout Leader. Sandra was the recipient of a double lung transplant in 2007 and will be forever grateful.
Sandra is survived by her children, Bonnie McAbee of Van Wert, OH, Shelly (Dan) Clark of Hillsboro, OH, James Carnahan of Oakwood, OH, Jeannie (Eric) Wagner of Holgate, OH, and Sandra (Andy) Manon of Ayersville, her grandchildren, Haley, Cameron and Ashley McAbee, Carrie (Colt) Campbell, Josh (Teresa) Clark, Jessica (Brice) Burrier, Erin (Garrett) McCoppin, Andy, Aaron (Tiffany), Allison, Aiden and Allyssa Wagner, Kiersten, Emily, and Jacob Manon, her great-grandchildren, Daniel, Abe, Katie, and Beau Campbell and Silas McCoppin, and one on the way, her siblings, Phyllis Passeno, Carol Dunifon, Terry Dotson, Linda Fulmer, Cindy Dotson, Pat Dotson and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband, Gene Carnahan, and brothers Ronnie, Danny and Tom Dotson.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and on Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 2:00 to 7:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson/Roessner Chapel (1753 S. Clinton St.) in Defiance. A special Time of Remembrance will be at 6:00 pm on Sunday where anyone is invited to share their memories. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024 with viewing at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1075 Glenwood Avenue, Napoleon, Ohio, 43532, with Pastor Logan Scheiwe officiating.
Memorials are suggested to Donate Life Ohio. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com. 
