Amy Ann Schlabach of Sugarcreek Dies in Tijuana, Community Mourns

Amy Ann Schlabach, 45, of Sugarcreek died on November 28 in Tijuana, Mexico after a short struggle with cancer. Born March 14, 1980, she worked at LuxCraft for 22 years serving the company as a secretary and was an active member of her local church community. Funeral services were held at LuxCraft on December 6 and she was laid to rest at Coblentz Cemetery. Miller Funeral Care of Walnut Creek handled arrangements. She is survived by siblings and nieces and nephews, and her family extended thanks to neighbors and friends for their support.

Schlabach's death resonates across this small county where long time employees and church members form the social fabric. Her two decades at LuxCraft meant she was a familiar presence in the workplace and the community. Holding services at the employer's facility reflected both the closeness of local institutions and the way employers and congregations often provide practical support in times of loss.

The circumstances of Schlabach's death raise broader questions about health care access for Holmes County residents confronting serious illnesses. When a resident dies away from home in another country it can reflect a range of realities, from seeking specific treatments or second opinions to personal or family circumstances. For rural counties like ours, cancer care presents challenges including travel time to oncology centers, limits in local specialist availability, and the financial strain of intensive treatment and travel. These issues influence where residents seek care and how families manage end of life logistics.

Local health providers, employers, faith groups, and policymakers can take this moment to examine gaps in supportive services. Expanded transportation options, greater local access to palliative care and oncology support, financial counseling, and bereavement services are among the measures that would lessen burdens on families facing serious illness. Employers can also consider strengthening employee assistance programs to address grief and caregiving needs.

As Holmes County mourns a well known community member, neighbors and workplaces remain key sources of comfort. Funeral arrangements were managed by Miller Funeral Care of Walnut Creek, and burial took place at Coblentz Cemetery. The loss highlights both a private family tragedy and persistent public health challenges that affect many local residents.