Paul W. Otte

Paul William Otte, son of Frederick and Annie Baden Otte, was born October 9, 1896, in Ridgeville Township, Henry County. He grew up on the farm and attended Dittmer School. In 1907, his brother, Edward, and father purchased the general store in Ridgeville Corners. When his brother, Carl, quit working in the store, Paul moved to town and lived with his brother, Edward, so he could work in the store and feed mill. In April of 1918, his parents purchased a home in Ridgeville Corners and Paul then made his home with them. He served in the Army from August 25, 1918, to January 30, 1919, and then continued to work for Fred Otte & Sons. He spent many evenings sacking flour, corn meal, pancake flour, etc.

Baseball was very important to Paul in his early adult life. He played on the Ridgeville town team and with a team from Pettisville. He played second base or short stop. It was said he was one of the best ballplayers on the team.

On March 21, 1923, he and Martha D. Wesche, daughter of William and Charlotte Lienau Wesche, traveled to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, South Ridge, Defiance County, and were married by the Rev. Carl Schroeder, brother-in-law of Paul. They made their home in Ridgeville Corners and attended Zion Lutheran Church. Paul was a Sunday School teacher for more than 25 years and was also superintendent and treasurer of the Sunday School. He held many different offices in the church. He was also interested in music and sang in the church choir.

Paul was a charter member of the Ward L. Adams Post 454 of the American Legion and the Ridgeville Twp. Fire Department.

Paul and Martha were blessed with four children: Kenneth William, Helen Martha, Margaret Lucille, and Donald Paul. They were all baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church and received their education at and graduated from Ridgeville Local School.

Paul lived an active life and was a very friendly person to all. In the spring of 1958 he became ill. The illness was gradual. He continued to work in the mill but his strength, eyesight, and memory were weakened. On October 2, 1959, he had a severe heart attack which took his life.

Kenneth W. Otte was born July 17, 1928. Throughout his high school years he worked in the store and mill. After graduation from high school, he attended International Business College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He served in the Army from December 7, 1950, to December 8, 1952, and was stationed in Okinawa for eighteen months with the 29th Army Band. On May 26, 1956, he married Kathryn Sanford, daughter of Clayton and Bertha (Marshall) Sanford of Highland Township, Defiance County. Today they make their home in Findlay, Ohio, where Kenneth is employed by the Marathon Oil Company. They have two children, Susan Paula, born August 18, 1960, and a chosen son, David Paul, born December 29, 1965.

Helen M. (Otte) Roedel was born November 8, 1930. During high school and after graduation she worked in Otte's Grocery Store and the post office. Helen was organist at Zion Lutheran Church from 1946 until her enrollment with Hartford Airline School, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1957. She worked for United Airlines in Cleveland, Ohio, for six months and in January of 1958, moved to Phoenix, Arizona. There she was employed by Trans World Airlines. On January 7, 1961, she married Robert Roedel, who was born in Archbold, Ohio, the only son of George and Selma (Hahn) Roe- del. He was employed by Airesearch Aerospace Manufacturing Company in Phoenix and she continued working for TWA until the birth of their only child, Michael Robert on December 29, 1961. Helen then became a homemaker. At the present time Helen is working for Diamond's Department Store as a credit-cashier since August 1972. Mike is enrolled in the seventh grade at Orangedale Elementary School and is active on the school track team, in the school honor band and Boy Scouts. Mike is also employed as a paperboy for the Arizona Republic.

Margaret L. (Otte) Theiroff was born June 19, 1933. While in high school and after graduation, she was employed at the Fred Otte & Son Feed Mill and Store until her marriage on November 15, 1953, to William 0. Thieroff, son of Orville W. and Matilda (Meyer) Thieroff of Defiance, Ohio. Bill served in the Air Force from February, 1952, to February, 1956, and at the time of their marriage was stationed at Wurtsmith AFB, Oscoda, Michigan. They made their home in East Tawas, Michigan. On September 3, 1954, a daughter, Cathy Sue, was born. In February of 1956, they moved to Defiance, Ohio, where Bill resumed his work at Johns-Manville Fiber Glass. On April 28, 1957, Cynthia Ann was born and on March 9, 1959, Cheryl Lynn was born. In September, 1960, the family moved to Ridgeville Corners. On November 25, 1961, a daughter, Christine Kay, was born. Tragedy struck the Thieroff home on June 16, 1965, when Chris was struck and killed by a car while trying to cross the street. On April 16, 1966, a new home was started on a section of land of the Paul Otte property. The home was built by Bill's father, Orville, and his great uncle, Carl Meyer, of Napoleon Township. On August 22, 1966, the fifth daughter, Carol Ann, was born. In December, 1966, the family moved into their new home. Bill is presently working for Aid Association for Lutherans as a district representative, is active in Life Underwriters, has held different offices in his church, Zion Lutheran, and is also a special deputy for the Henry County Sheriff's Department. Margaret helps in the Ridgeville School Cafeteria. Cathy Sue is a graduate of Archbold High School and Buckeye School of Practical Nursing and is now employed at the Archbold Medical Group, Inc. Cindy just graduated from Archbold High School and Cheryl and Carol attend the Archbold Area Schools.

Donald P. Otte was born April 24, 1935. During his high school years and after graduation he was employed at the feed mill. On September 10, 1957, he entered military service. After basic training he played baritone with the 113th Army Band at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Due to the illness of his father an early discharge was requested and granted on October 23, 1958. He became manager of the feed mill and continued in this business until the fall of 1974 when Otte and Company was dissolved. Donald is now employed at the Ridgeville Elevator as manager of the feed mill. He has been an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, has held several offices, and is choir director. He played in Bud Widmer's Rube Band and is now a member of the Village Dutchmen Polka Band.

Submitted by Margaret "Otte" Thieroff