Allen Sandkuhl, 98
Allen E. Sandkuhl, passed away on Feb. 13, 2023, his 98th birthday. Formerly of St. Marys, Ohio, Allen lived in Dublin, Ohio, since July 2017 at Dublin Retirement Village.
Allen was born in Kossuth, Ohio, on Feb. 13, 1925. He is survived by four children Becky (Bill) Klosterman, David (Marsha), Doug (Sue), and Eric (Tuki). He nurtured close relationships with his grandchildren: Betsy (Zach) Lewis, Nate Sandkuhl, Andrew (Katherine) Klosterman, Kari (Jeff) Huddle, Alex (Ashley) Sandkuhl, Summer Sandkuhl, Joshua Sandkuhl, and Jacob Sandkuhl. Six great grandchildren lit up his eyes and heart: Parker and Beckett Lewis, Holden and Archer Sandkuhl, Lina Sandkuhl and Jordan Huddle.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, George and Emma Sandkuhl, brothers Herman, Charles, and Chester, and infant daughter, Deborah. Katharina, his beloved wife of nearly 69 years, passed away on Dec. 7, 2021.
Allen attended Memorial High School in St. Marys, Ohio. Before completing high school, he enlisted in the Army in 1943, to serve his country during WWII as a combat engineer repairing and building roads and bridges in France, Luxembourg and Germany. After the war he returned to St Marys and worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber.
Much of his working life, Allen was employed by the General Telephone Company (now Verizon) for 38 and a half years. In the early days he worked outside and climbed telephone poles. He eventually moved inside to maintaining local telephone offices in the area.
As his four children completed high school and and then university degrees at OSU, Allen earned his GED. On his birthday in 2002, the St. Marys Board of Education awarded Allen his high school diploma. Allen and Kathe were active in the Sister Cities Program and sponsored two exchange students from Japan. In retirement, Allen developed his artistic side and created many beautiful stained glass pieces. Allen and Kathe enjoyed traveling, visiting with family and friends, and helping with grandchildren.
Allen will be greatly missed by his family. He was a loving husband and caring father who modeled strong values and compassion. A joint celebration of Allen and Katharina’s lives will be held on April 8 at Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home in St. Marys, Ohio.
Should you wish to make a donation in Allen’s honor, please consider the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) or the Alzheimer’ Association (alz.org) in lieu of flowers.