Gerald Rex Free

OTTOVILLE – Gerald Rex Free, 60, of Ottoville died 4:48 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Mercy Health St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.  He was born April 6, 1964, in Opp, AL to Gerald Mack and Sara (Boswell) Free.  His mother, father and stepmother, Diane Free all survive in Elba, AL.  On December 28, 1990, he married Doneta Knippen, who survives in Ottoville.

Also surviving are his in-laws:  Janice (Charles) Pohlman of Delphos, Karen (Dennis) Ricker of Ottoville, Deb (Tim) Verhoff of Kalida, Kevin (Cindy) Knippen of Ottoville, Mike (Jackie Rose) Knippen of Ottoville and Rita (Patrick) Klosterman of Brookville; 19 nieces and nephews; 30 great-nieces and great-nephews, with 1 on the way; and his dogs:   Nacho Man, Miah Jean and Lucky Duck.

Rex worked as an LPN for Ohio Recovery Center, Van Wert and had been a Realtor in Florida.  He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #592, Moody AL.

Rex loved his friends in Florida, Alabama and Ohio and never met a stranger.  Rex was a member of the US Army Reserves, serving in Fort Rucker, AL.  He was very patriotic and loved his country.  He enjoyed the way all the Northerners loved his southern accent.

Being from Alabama, he was a huge University of Alabama fan.  ROLL TIDE ROLL.  He loved SEC football and couldn't understand why all Ohioans did not reserve Saturdays exclusively for college football.

There will be a Masonic Funeral at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 8, 2024, at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township.  There will be a private burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ottoville at a later date.  Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Putnam County Council on Aging, 1425 E. 4th Street, Ottawa, OH  45875 or the charity of the donor's choice.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.

Putnam County Council on Aging
1425 East Fourth St., Ottawa OH 45875

Charity of the donor's choice