Elmer J. Fortman
OTTAWA - Elmer J. Fortman, 96, of Ottawa died at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at The Meadows of Kalida. He was born July 22, 1917 in Glandorf to the late Frank and Bertha (Stechschulte) Fortman. On November 27, 1943 he married Alice Odenweller who died November 16, 2002.
He is survived by 4 children: Marcia (Roger) Lammers of Ottawa, Barbara (Keith) Hall of Dayton, Mary Jo (Dan) Bockrath of Glandorf, and Bob (Nancy) Fortman of Findlay; a daughter-in-law: Linda Fortman of Ottawa; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister: Jeanette Wannemacher of Kalida. He was preceded in death by a son: Tim Fortman; 2 brothers: Leonard and Edward Fortman; and a sister: Valeta "Peg" Myers.
Elmer built and began operating Fortman Body Repair in 1946 and retired in 2001 at the age of 84. He was one of the youngest franchise owners when he signed on to be a dealer for the Tucker Automobile Company. He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa and the Lima Elks. He served on the Ottawa Board of Public Affairs for 34 years. Elmer loved to read, play cards, and enjoyed spending time at his cottage near Port Clinton on Lake Erie.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa with Fr. Matt Jozefiak officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa. Memorials may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul School or to the Putnam County Library.
Condolences can be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.

---