On Friday, December 1, 2023, Sandra Jean (Welch) Dunbar, loving mother, grandmother and a pioneering businesswoman, passed away peacefully at the age of 80.

Sandy was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 20, 1943 to Harland and Betty (Hummel) Welch. She graduated from Metamora High School in Metamora, Ohio in 1961. Sandy was blessed with 3 children and 2 step-children. In June of 1984, Sandy’s dream of helping others became a reality when she and her husband Jerry opened ByNature, a vitamin and health food store in downtown Adrian, MI. Sandy’s passion was to help anyone who was looking for answers outside of the medical world. Whether it was supplements, special restrictive diets or an ear to just listen, she was there for so many! In just a short time ByNature grew so quickly, Sandy and her husband decided to relocate the store to 1145 N. Main St. in Adrian. This allowed Sandy to be the fearless advocate that she was of healthcare alternatives in a town and period of time when it was the most difficult to not only be a female business owner but also a nonconformist to traditional medicine. After serving the City of Adrian and Lenawee County for 33 years, Sandy retired at the end of 2017 to spend time with her family and loved ones.

Aside from ByNature, Sandy loved spending time with her family, enjoyed the warmth of the Florida sun with her partner Ted, and she loved chocolate (of any kind). If you were blessed to have known Sandy, you knew her kindness, compassion, and unending generosity to all.

Sandy is survived by her beloved partner Ted Barnett, four children, Mandy (Dave) Sheldon of Bridgeport WV, Scott (Cyndi Small) Burnett of Toledo, Michelle (Bryan) Mann of North Adams, and Kelly (David Vickery) Turner of Adrian. Seven grandchildren, Laura (Kenzie) Menchaca of Knoxville, TN, Amber (Nate) Curtis of Adrian, Amber (Matt) Carr of Fort Wainwright, AK, Dylan (Kelsey) Sheldon of Morgantown, WV, Stephen (Hilary) Dunbar of Midlothian, VA, Camron (Jodie) Sheldon of Bridgeport, WV, Misty Turner of Adrian and 12 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, Betty Hummel-Welch and Harland Eugene Welch, sister, Linda (Welch) Groth, husband Jerry Dunbar, and son Chad Dunbar.

A memorial service is to be announced and will be held in Adrian, MI in the spring of 2024.

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