Oscar John Vennekotter
MILLER CITY – Oscar John Vennekotter, 94, of Miller City, died at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2012 at The Meadows of Leipsic.  He was born April 20, 1918 in Cuba, OH to the late Bernard H. and Mary G. (Bockrath) Vennekotter.  On May 2, 1946, he married Esther C. Maag, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Glandorf.  She survives in Leipsic.
Also surviving are 8 children: Thomas (Karen) Vennekotter of Elida, Janet Vennekotter of Perrysburg, Ronald (Jeanella) Vennekotter of Riverside, CA, Elaine (Mack) Schroeder of Columbus Grove, Roger (Nancy) Vennekotter of Miller City, Wilma (Kevin) Recker of Ottawa, Wayne (JoAnn) Vennekotter of Miller City and Carl (Diane) Vennekotter of Miller City; a daughter-in-law: Virginia "Ginny" Vennekotter of Miller City; 23 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and 4 on the way; 3 sisters: Laura Recker, Norma Ellerbrock and Florence Verhoff all of Ottawa.  He was preceded in death also by a son: Larry Vennekotter; a sister: Bertha Schnipke and 2 brothers: Otto and Norbert Vennekotter.
Oscar was a lifelong farmer.  He was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Miller City and the Ottawa Knights of Columbus #1757.  He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, where he served as Staff Sergeant in the Infantry.  He was a member of Miller City American Legion Post #172 and Miller City Sportsman's Club.  He was a life member of the following organizations: Ottawa VFW #9152, Disabled American Veterans of Putnam County, Military Order of the Purple Heart of Findlay; the Ohio Chapter of Fourth Infantry Division Association and a member of the Putnam County Farm Bureau.  Oscar served 12 years as a member of Miller City-New Cleveland Local School Board as well as serving on the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation and Putnam County Dairy Service.    He was dedicated to his wife and family.  He was concerned that future generations would have good education, healthy environment, conservation of land and other resources.  Oscar enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was a profound patriot.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2012 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Miller City with Fr. Stephen Schroeder officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Miller City American Legion, Ottawa American Legion and Ottawa VFW.   Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa where there will be a scripture service at 2 p.m. and a VFW service at 7 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.

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