Jan. 30, 1939 — March 27, 2015

Arnard A. M. “Cook” Ottman, Sr., age 76, of Cassopolis, went home peacefully Friday, March 27, 2015 surrounded by his family in Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, Michigan.

He was born January 30, 1939 in South Bend, Indiana to Arnold and Alvery (Shreiner) Ottman. He married Pauline Louise Truex in August, 1962 in Goshen, Indiana. She survives. He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Jaclyn Ottman; one sister, Josephine Mitchell; and three brothers, Terry Ottman, Dick Ottman and Howard Ottman.

Cook owned and operated Ottman’s Salvage in Cassopolis from 1984 until 1998. He enjoyed going to the racetrack to help his sons with their car racing, including painting and working on their cars. Cook loved his Fords. He loved getting together with his family, especially his grandkids. His family would hold a pork roast every summer.

Cook will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife Pauline (Truex) Ottman of Cassopolis; one daughter, Lorena Truex-Clark of Kentucky; four sons, Tony (Dorothy) Ottman, Kenneth (Angela) Ottman, Trampis (Mary Hunt) Ottman and Arnard Ottman, Jr., all of Cassopolis; 13 grandchildren, Amy Ottman, Angel (Matt Zavodny) Ottman, Tony Ottman, Jr., Stoney Ottman, Dwight Ottman, Renee Ottman, Austin Ottman, Mickey Ottman, Hunter Ottman, Mackenzie Ottman, Alex Perault, Markus Perault, Landon Perault; five great grandchildren, Dylan Ottman, Scarlett Ottman, Cole Zavodny, Gage Zavodny, Madalynn Miller; three sisters, Sally (Earl) Thompson of Elkhart, Judy (Daniel) Yoder of Goshen, Pam Ottman of Cassopolis; five brothers, Alvin “Skip” (Sue) Ottman of Illinois, Robert (Frances) Ottman of Elkhart, Ronnie (Pat) Ottman of Edwardsburg, Clinton Ottman of Elkhart, Eddie (Judy) Ottman of Elkhart; three sisters in law, LeEtta Ottman, Betsy Ottman, Mary Ottman, all of Elkhart; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather Tuesday, March 31, 2015 from 4 until 8 p.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with the Reverend Benjamin David Hutchison officiating. Mr. Ottman will be laid to rest in Reames and Norton Cemetery in Cassopolis.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.