LEIPSIC – Larry Dennis Place, 78, of Leipsic, passed away at 10:18 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at his residence. He was born October 21, 1946, to Eugene Orville and Virginia Ann (Wortman) Place. On December 11, 1971, he married Carlotta “Lottie” Helen Kelsch at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Leipsic.
Larry is survived by his wife, Lottie; two children: Crystal Amber (Joseph) McGowan of New Jersey and Ash Kelsch (Lesti) Place of Indiana; six grandchildren: Neila, Anna, Virginia, Margaret, Vivienne and Leo; four siblings: Paul (Diane) Place, James Place, Patti (Todd) Hall and Tracy (Gina) Place; a brother-in-law, Bill Wagner; his in-laws: Cyndy and Al Fischer, Sheen and Rich Deis; and nephews and nieces: Rick Fischer, Shana Heinricy, Kurt, Peter and Chris Jahn, Alex, Eric and Ben Place, Lori Wagner Peterson and Julie Wagner Berger.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Larina Dione Place; a sister, Linda Wagner; a nephew, Sean Heinricy; and a sister-in-law, Sharon Place.
Larry graduated from Leipsic Public School in 1964, where he was active in football, basketball, track, and was a member of the All Putnam County Chorus Group. After graduating, he worked for Allied Egry Business Systems as a Press Helper, before enlisting in the US Air Force, where he was stationed in Offit Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska and Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, SD. He then spent a tour in Vietnam, where he worked as a Water Purification Specialist.
After returning to the states, Larry continued his education at Owens Community College, Tiffin University, The Ohio School of Banking, Ohio University, The Ohio School of Consumer Credit, Kent State, The Ohio Ag Lender School, The Ohio State University, The Graduate School of Banking, The University of Wisconsin and various BAI banking classes. He earned his Series 6 Securities License, Ohio Insurance License and his EMT Basic License.
Larry served as the Van Buren Township Clerk for 30 years, the Finance Committee Chairman for St. Mary’s Catholic Church for many years, including being chairman during the church’s Parish Life Center addition; was an active member of the Leipsic American Legion and VFW Post 9547, where he served as Trustee, Quartermaster and Fiscal Officer; he served with the Leipsic EMS for 14 years and was the secretary/treasurer for the Northwest Ohio Port Authority from its inception until 2020; he served on the Village of Leipsic Zoning Board, Zoning Appeals Board and was the Putnam County rep for the Selective Service Board, as well as belonging to the Leipsic Chamber of Commerce. Larry was with the Bank of Leipsic Co. from 1970 until 2001 when he retired as President/CEO. He worked for the Union Bank Co. via Linsco Private Ledger as Financial Consultant for a few years until retiring from that office. He then began working with County EMS, did estate appraisals for a local law firm, annuity sales for CLC Insurance Company and also some expediated freight delivery for a transportation company (his rationalization was that he wanted to and needed to do something completely different than office-related); Larry served on The Meadows’ Advisory Board and as Fiscal Officer for the Village of Leipsic for a few years, and was on the Leipsic Community Center Board of Directors’ Steering Committee. He was a long-time member of the Leipsic Athletic Boosters and Treasurer for Leipsic Community Track Steering Committee.
Larry was an avid reader and enjoyed biking, walking, golfing, family fun, doing Sudoku puzzles and traveling, many times planning spur-of-the-moment daytrips.
Funeral mass will begin 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Leipsic with Fr. Randy Giesige officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Leipsic VFW and American Legion. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2025, at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Leipsic and one hour prior to mass Tuesday at St. Mary’s Parish Life Center, Leipsic.
Memorial donations may be made to The Larina D. Place Scholarship Fund, c/o Leipsic Public School or a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com
Larry Dennis Place
