GLANDORF – Dorothy M. Osterhage, 94 of Glandorf, died 1:51 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2025 at Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima. She was born September 28, 1930 in Putnam County to the late George and Frances (Hovest) Ruhe. On August 12, 1950, she married Paul Osterhage. He died July 5, 2003.
Other survivors include five children: Keith Osterhage of Fairfax Station, VA, Julene (Joseph) Shepherd of Lima, Carol Clark of Aliso Viejo, CA, Paulette Osterhage of Chesterfield, MI and Craig (Teresa) Osterhage of Findlay; 11 grandchildren: Marisa (Alex) Odenweller, Joseph Shepherd, Meredith Shepherd, Brittney (Tyler) Bassler, Christina (Quinn) Clark, Travis Clark, Jacob Osterhage, Alicia (Mike) Sarmina, Taylor Doolittle, Spenser Doolittle and Quentin Osterhage; and 6 great-grandchildren: Parker and Savannah Odenweller, Jailee, Macie, Hazel and Hadley Sarmina.
She was also preceded in death by five siblings: Edna (Walter) Warnecke, Amos (Bertha) Ruhe, Mary “Mame” (Hubert “Red”) Kreinbrink, Leonard (Rose “Dolly”) Ruhe and Betty (Richard) McCallister.
Dorothy worked at Sylvania (Philips) before having children. On February 7, 1962, she embarked on a career with AVON until her 94th birthday. Her leadership and strength as a leading Avon lady for 63 years with high sales early on, earned her the title and recognition of President’s Club forever. She was the oldest living Avon representative in the country. Throughout her Avon journey, she also had a passion for the restaurant business and worked at Club 65 in Columbus Grove, where she was the best waitress in Putnam County and loved by so many patrons. Her hard work and dedication in the restaurant business led to 20 years as co-owner of the Corn City Bar and Restaurant in Deshler. Her love for music allowed her to book various bands from all over the state of Ohio. She loved genealogy and scrapbooking of the Ruhe and Hovest families and could talk forever about them. Dorothy loved music, playing the piano, singing, dancing and talking with people. She enjoyed watching the news, challenging her mind with nightly Jeopardy and listening to the Lawerence Welk Show on PBS. Dorothy was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf and the Ottawa VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf with Fr. Matt Keller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa, as well as one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday at the church. A scripture service will be held at 2:45 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Putnam County Council on Aging. Memorial contributions may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com
Dorothy M. Osterhage
