John J. Grote

John J. Grote, 69, of Ottoville, died at 2 a.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born December 15, 1946, in Jackson Township, the son of Leon and Cyrilda (Siefker) Grote, who both preceded him in death. On September 28, 1968, he married the former Marie Eickholt, who survives in Ottoville.

Also surviving are five children, Tony (Tina) Grote of Fort Jennings, Eric Grote of Delphos, Jeff (Elaine) Grote of Maumee, Amy (Rick) Bergman of Minster, and Jody (Jon) Swisher of Bluffton; 13 grandchildren, Madison, Nolan, Jonathan, and Hannah Grote, Dominic, Aiden, and Brock Grote, Justin, Tyler, Riley, and Harper Bergman, and Lee and Lucy Swisher; three sisters, Joann (Tom) Hempfling and Janet (Jerome) Trentman, both of Delphos, and Eileen (Paul) Gedert of Marble Head; and his faithful dog, Bean.

A son, Kevin, also preceded him in death.

John was a retired mail carrier, a farmer, and was an agent for Farmers Mutual Aid Insurance. He was a 1964 graduate of Fort Jennings High School, was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ottoville, and the Ottoville Knights of Columbus.

John loved being with his grandchildren, and enjoyed farming, the Republican Party, camping, telling stories, and being pro-life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 9, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ottoville, with the Very Reverend Jerome Schetter officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ottoville.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Friday, January 8, at Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home in Jackson Township, rural Putnam County, with a K of C Rosary service at 6:30 that evening, as well as from 9 a.m. until departure for the church on Saturday.

Preferred memorials: Putnam County Home Health and Hospice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com