Richard Edward Laudick, Jr.

OTTAWA – Richard Edward Laudick, Jr., 93, of Ottawa, passed away at 6:48 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2022 at The Meadows of Ottawa.  He was born on January 11, 1929 in Ottawa to the late Richard E. and Edna (Gulker) Laudick, Sr.  On October 7, 1950, he married Jeanette Schmitz, who survives in Ottawa.

Other survivors include five children: Deborah A. (Harold) Birkemeier of Ft. Jennings, Jeanne K. (Mike) Verhoff, Kevin R. (Julie) Laudick, both of Glandorf, Joseph A. (Ann) Laudick and Annette M. (Jeff) Kendall, both of Ottawa; 15 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by two granddaughters: Katie Laudick and Lori Verhoff; and one sister, Lois (Norman) Doepker, Jr.

Richard graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic High School and attended Bowling Green State University.  He was employed at Sentinel Publishing Co., where he served as president, manager and editor of the Putnam County Sentinel.  He went to work at the Sentinel for his father while he was still in grade school at the outbreak of World War II.  He spent his career working there for 44 years.  He was also a photographer taking wedding and family photos for many years.

Richard was active in many organizations.  He was a longtime member and president of the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, where he received two distinguished service awards and life membership.  He also served as the secretary-treasurer and office manager of the Chamber of Commerce for 8 years following retirement from the newspaper.  Richard served on the Ottawa Downtown Development Committee and was a life member of the Ottawa Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa, where he was an usher for 55 years and worked on the Sunday collection counting committee for 10 years.  He also served several years on Sts. Peter and Paul School Development Council.  He was a longtime member and past president of the Ottawa Kiwanis Club, was on the board and past president of United Way of Putnam County and served several years on the development council of St. Rita's Hospital, Lima.  Richard was a member of the Putnam County TB and Health Association and later the Western Ohio Lung Association, where he served as president of both.  He was also president of the Putnam County Mental Health Board and former Boy Scout Leader.

In his spare time, Richard enjoyed flower gardening.  He managed and cared for a large downtown flower garden in Ottawa for 11 years.  He was in the original class of the Putnam County Master Gardeners in 1994 and was very active in the organization for many years.  Richard was also an airplane pilot and owned his own airplane.  For a few years, he managed the Putnam County Airport during which, he secured a state grant to lengthen the airport runway.

A funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2022 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 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday prior to the mass at church.

Arrangements are under the direction of LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa.

Memorial donations may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul School Endowment Fund.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.

Sts. Peter & Paul Endowment Fund
Ottawa OH 45875