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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr.
4Merrill William George Ottwein, who passed away on March 21,
52024; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was born to Oscar John and Hilda
7(Bardelmeier) Ottwein in Troy on April 24, 1929; he received
8degrees in agriculture, agricultural economics, and veterinary
9medicine from the University of Illinois; he married Grace
10Schmidt at Frieden's United Church of Christ in Troy on
11September 2, 1950; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein founded Hawthorne Animal Hospital in
13Glen Carbon in 1956 and practiced until 1966 when his family
14moved to Honduras to do mission work through the United Church
15World Ministries; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was elected to the Illinois Senate in
171969, serving the 53rd Senate District; after serving for one
18term, he became involved with developing communities and
19founded his company, Homebuyer's Relocation Services, with his
20son, Paul; he also served on numerous industry-related boards
21and committees; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein's first love was his family, but he
2also enjoyed singing in various barbershop and vocal groups,
3playing his trombone in community bands and small ensembles,
4and researching family history; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was preceded in death by his parents
6and his grandson, Dr. Brent Leh; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein is survived by his wife of 73 years,
8Grace Ottwein; his sister, Audrey Deeren; his children, Ann
9(Michael) Culp, Amy (Keith) Zagar, Paul (Amber) Ottwein, and
10Emily Ottwein; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, John
11Ottwein and Nicole DeVerter-Ottwein, Adam and Jessica Ottwein
12(Annabelle and Oscar), Tyler Ottwein and Emma Pieper, Dakota
13Roper and fiancé Tyler Orgler, Richard and Laura Leh (Devyn),
14Matthew and Catherine Zagar (Jane and Dylan), Patrick Zagar,
15Benjamin Ottwein, Bethany and Eric Paulsen (Emmet), Benjamin
16and Megan Culp (Julia, Wesley, Owen), Nathan and Pamela Culp
17(Clayton), and Gregory and Victoria Culp (Brentleigh and
18Elisabeth); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews;
19therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
21HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
22we mourn the passing of Dr. Merrill William George Ottwein and
23extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all

 

 

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1who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3presented to the family of Dr. Ottwein as an expression of our
4deepest sympathy.