Author: Gem City WebAdmin

Sandra J. Combs died at home on Feb. 21, 2022. She was 77.

Sandy was born on July 28, 1944,in Norfolk, Virginia, to Laura (Brewer) and Robert Duncan. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 1966 with a bachelor of arts degree. After college, she worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base programming some of the earliest computers with punch cards.

She met her husband Al Combs through a bowling league and they married in 1968. Sandy and Al had two daughters, Veronica Mae and Rebecca Lynn. Sandy spent the next decade raising the girls, sewing, and reading.

When the girls got older, she went back to school to get a teaching certificate. She then taught fifth grade in the Twin Valley School District for 18 years. She also was a 4-H advisor in Preble County for more than 20 years.

She bred miniature dachshunds for 30 years and put AKC titles on miniature dachshunds in conformation, obedience, agility, and scent work. She was a member of the Dayton Kennel Club, Ft. St. Clair Kennel Club, National Miniature Dachshund Club, Dachshund Club of America, Dayton Dog Training Club, and Gem City Dog Obedience Club. Sandy was an officer in many of these clubs as well as an AKC Breeder of Merit.

Despite her 2018 diagnosis of ALS, she continued until very recently to do what she loved, including quilting, spending time with her grandsons, and training, showing, and breeding dachshunds. Few people will know the strength, courage, and determination she displayed in her final weeks. Sandy died at home surrounded by her dogs and family which is exactly what she wanted.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Al. She is survived by her daughters, sons-in-law Michael Borchers and Jody Powlette, grandsons Carson and Liam Borchers, sister Sue Duncan, and brother Bob Duncan.

The family will hold a celebration of her life at 1 p.m. on April 24, at Cox Arboretum, 6733 N. Springboro Pike, Dayton. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Nature Conservancy, or the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

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Cynthia “Cindy” Dawn Alles, age 60, died on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in Beavercreek, Ohio. She was born on September 22, 1961 in Dayton, Ohio to Ortho Stanley and Iona Mae (Applegate) Marko, the youngest of three children. She grew up in Tipp City, Ohio, graduated from Tipp City High School, and earned her Associate’s degree from Hocking Technical College. She enjoyed many years traveling the world while working as a travel agent. She married her husband William “Bill” C. Alles on November 2, 1991. Cindy was a doting mother to two cats and nine dogs over the years and enjoyed working with animals and contributing her many talents to local community organizations. She was a member of the Gem City Dog Obedience club for over 20 years and combined her love of cooking and dogs in managing the food for many of the dog shows, banquets and special events. She was also a loyal member of the Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association (mvPTa) where she was certified with 2 dogs and was passionate about providing comfort, joy and support to residents at the Widow’s Home, Hospice of Dayton and many other facilities. She enjoyed supporting the Paws to Read children’s program at the Burkhardt, Wilmington Stroop, and Beavercreek libraries. She also enthusiastically served mvPTa in many other capacities, including as President, Vice President At Large, Howl Walk Chair, Education Staff Member, and as a pet therapy instructor and evaluator. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Ortho and Iona Mae Marko. She is survived by her husband William “Bill” Alles, her brothers Gregory (Charlene) Marko and Michael “Mick” Marko, and her nephew Justin Marko. She also leaves behind her extended family including Diane (Wayne) Robbins, Susan Alles, many adoring nieces and nephews including Sara (Jeffrey) Grivno and family, Gregory (Stephanie) Robbins and family, and Laura Robbins, life-long friends Kathy and Garrett Taylor, Mike and Cathy Rymer, Ernie and Lori Genaw, and a multitude of other close friends that she considered family. She was loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all whose hearts she touched over the years. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11:00am, at Byron Cemetery & Mausoleum, 3256 Trebein Road, Fairborn, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, her family requests any memorials may be made in Cindy’s name to her most cherished organizations, the Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association (mvPTa) or the Gem City Dog Obedience Club.

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