Owen A. Ott

Owen A. Ott, age 85, of New Philadelphia, died early Sunday morning, March 14, 2010, in Union Hospital at Dover.A son of the late Albert and Cassie (Keffer) Ott, Owen was born on the family farm in the Oldtown Valley near Stone Creek on August 8, 1924.Owen graduated high school at Stone Creek and would soon attend the former Stafford Business School at New Philadelphia.In January of 1951, a young lady named Grace Kappeler created a special place in Owen’s heart. Following a six-month courtship the couple married in June of the same year creating a union that would last nearly fifty-nine years. Together, they would rear three sons. For thirty-two years, Owen would be employed by the former Farm Bureau, now Agland Co-Op, where he would hold positions as Office Manager and Credit Manager. Additionally, Owen worked for R.M. Henning, Inc. and would later operate his own cleaning service, which maintained office facilities as well as a daycare in the Canton Area.A longtime member of the First Church of the Nazarene, Owen was devoted to his Lord and church. For nineteen years, Owen and Grace would serve as custodians for the church. Additionally, Owen would serve as the church’s treasurer for a number of years and was also willing to serve in other capacities when called upon by others.In his early years, Owen found joy in the out of doors, where he was often found splitting logs and preparing them for the family’s wood burner or spending time in the woods hunting small game such as rabbits and squirrels. Furthermore, Owen enjoyed jogging and walking, a passion that spanned nearly forty years. Up until this past month he maintained a morning routine of walking New Towne Mall. In addition to his wife, Grace, Owen is survived by his three sons, Keith (Rose Ann) Ott of Sandusky, Jeffrey Ott of the home, and Greg (Carol) Ott of Sykesville, Maryland.Five grandchildren, Kelly (Pat) Dewey, Nathan (Emily) Ott, Aaron Ott, Anneliese Ott, and Ryan Ott complete the family.In addition to his parents, Owen was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Ott. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, from 5:00 Â? 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Dr. Fred Wallis will lead a service celebrating Owen’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.It was Owen’s nature to help others. The family has requested that those wishing to make charitable contributions in his name do so by providing to the Stratton Family Ministry c/o First Church of the Nazarene, 233 Fair Avenue NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.