OTT – John Albert Ott born June 22 1927 in Traverse City went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 4 2009. He was preceded in death by his mother Jessica Piellusch of Manistee; his father Albert J. Ott of Traverse City and his sister Donna Hobson (Ogden) of Traverse City. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Joann Harbaugh Ott. Along with Joann his greatest joy was his 3 children and their spouses and his 9 grandchildren. He is survived by his son Eric (Mary) Ott of Trumansburg NY and grandchildren Katrena David and Marcus Ott; his daughter Lisa Joann Ott of Hart and grandchildren Joshua Maczka Kendall Maczka Noah Wiehn and Lukas Wiehn; his daughter Jacqueline (William) Sleeman of Ada and grandchildren Gabrielle and Gracie Sleeman. He is also survived by a niece Molly Jo Hobson (Rom) Rice and a nephew Ott (Pat) Hobson and many grand-nieces and nephews. John graduated from Traverse City High School where he was the first All State football and basketball player. Years later he was inducted into the Traverse City Sports Hall of Fame. He began his college career at the University of Michigan where he played football until he was drafted into the Army. After serving in the Army he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and was a part of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He worked for the American Seating Furniture Company for 32 years most of the time serving as Eastern Regional Manager in Syracuse New York. After leaving there he went to work for a few years at Worden Furniture Company of Holland before starting his own business OEM in 1986 which made wood furniture for the college market. He was a member of Cascade Christian Church since 1976 and served on the board of trustees and as a deacon. He enjoyed many rounds of racquetball at the Charlevoix Club and was an avid golfer at Cascade Country Club where he was a senior club champion for 3 years. He loved his time spent with friends and family at the cottage and playing his weekly game of cribbage. The family will receive friends October 11 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home 3980 Cascade Rd. SE. A service to celebrate Johns life will be held at October 12 at Cascade Christian Church with Pastor Jill Forton officiating. Interment Cascade Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Cascade Christian Church 2829 Thornapple River Dr., SE Grand Rapids MI 49546
