OTTAWA – Eugene C. “Gene” Otto, 89, of Ottawa, passed away at 4:09 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay. He was born August 22, 1935, in Ottawa to the late Wilbert and Florence (Schroeder) Otto. On October 19, 1957, he married JoAnn Elizabeth Ellerbrock, who preceded him in death on March 16, 2024.
 Survivors include 5 children: Jane (Brent) Kosch of Glandorf, Kay (Mark) Bidlack of Ottawa, MaryBeth (Mike) Schneeg, Kara (Brian) Balash and Kellie (Scott) Birkemeier, all of Glandorf; 21 grandchildren: Jenna (Ryan) Burgei, Aric (Heather) Kosch, Breana (Ryan) Ashley, Megan (Jacob Clark) Kosch, Justin (Megan) Drerup, Bradley (Lynn) Drerup, Kristin (Craig) Duling, Brenden (Jen) Drerup, Katelyn (Austin) Markward, Lindsey (Jared) Keyser, Matthew Schneeg, Kristy Schneeg, Evan Balash, Madison Balash, Jason Balash, Dylan Birkemeier, Austin Birkemeier, Zachary Birkemeier, Kaleb Birkemeier, Logan Birkemeier, Carter Birkemeier; 2 step-grandchildren: Matthew Bidlack and Nathan Bidlack; 17 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings: Rose Gerdeman of Ottawa, Robert Otto of Wooster and Marge Ellerbrock of Kalida; in-laws: Marilyn Sealts of Columbus Grove, Donald (Janet) Ellerbrock of Columbus Grove, Marilyn Ellerbrock of Columbus Grove, Thomas (Ruth) Ellerbrock of Columbus Grove, Sam Golden of Lima, Dennis (Karen) Ellerbrock of Kalida, Gerald Ellerbrock of Kalida, Christine (Dennis) Horstman of Cloverdale and Michael (Barb Niese) Ellerbrock of Kalida.
 He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lauren Mae Schneeg; and brothers-in-law: George Ellerbrock, Linus Gerdeman, Eugene Ellerbrock, Ted Sealts; and sisters-in-law: Janet Otto and Janice Golden.
 Gene was a very faithful and hardworking man, who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He graduated from Lima Technical College with an Associate’s Degree. Gene retired from Sylvania/North American Philips Corporation, Ottawa after 46 years in electronic maintenance and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was also a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa, Ottawa K of C and Ottawa Fraternal Order of Eagles. Gene was well known in the community for Otto’s TV Service and Repair. He also volunteered for Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and the YMCA in Ottawa. Gene enjoyed polka dancing, playing cards golfing and basketball.
 Funeral Mass will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa with Fr. Scott Kramer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Saturday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa.
 Memorial donations may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ottawa or Bridge Hospice in Findlay. Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com