Ned Otto Obituary

Ned and Nancy Otto

Jan 1, 2024 - Jan 7, 2024

Berlin Township

Ned Robert Otto, 85, of Berlin Township, passed away early Monday morning, Jan. 1, 2024, at his home after a lengthy illness.

Ned was diagnosed years ago with Parkinson's disease. In spite of that diagnosis, he continued to do all the things he wanted and loved.

He was born Dec. 15, 1938, in Sandusky, to Edward and Lucille (Green) Otto. He was a lifelong resident of Berlin Township, living on the shores of Lake Erie. He was a 1956 graduate of Berlin Heights High School where he participated in baseball, basketball, and track. He was also an active member of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and served as vice-president and president. He was a designated Ohio State Farmer and a highlight was attending the National FFA Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. He was also active in 4-H and showed cattle at Erie County Fair and Ohio State Fair.

After high school, he continued to work on the family farm, Jacob H. Otto and Sons, with his father and brother. They grew greenhouse tomatoes, crop farmed, and raised registered Hereford cattle. He later became a licensed specialist by The State of Ohio to operate the large boilers for Otto Greenhouses.

When the family decided to close the greenhouse in Nov., 1989, he continued farming until going to work at Great Lakes Packers in Bellevue where he retired in Sept., 2013. He continued his lifelong passion of farming. In his earlier years, he enjoyed playing on a men's basketball league and bowling league. He was a volunteer for Berlin Heights Fire Department, a 4-H advisor for Erie County, and member of Edison Athletic Boosters and Edison Music Boosters.

Ned enjoyed reading (especially history) and watching sports. He loved the outdoors and watching the eagles soaring along Lake Erie. He enjoyed taking his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on nature walks and fishing on their farm. He was a proud, quiet third generation farmer who didn't require a lot of material things.

Ned was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Ray Otto.

Ned and Nancy were very thankful and appreciative for family, friends, and SouthernCare for their care through Ned's last few months.

Nancy Lou Otto, 84, of Berlin Township, passed away Sunday morning, Jan. 7, 2024, at Firelands Community Hospital after a brief illness.

She was born Oct. 31, 1939, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Captain John and Goldie (Horvath) Johnson. She was a lifelong resident of Berlin Township, living on the shores of Lake Erie.

She was a 1957 graduate of Berlin Heights High School. In high school, she was on student council, class vice president, member of Future Homemakers Association (FHA), and majorette in Erie County Band. She was also a staff member on the school paper and yearbook, Homecoming attendant, FFA Queen, and basketball scorekeeper.

Following high school, she graduated from The Northern Institute of Cosmetology in Lorain. She was employed at Erie County Bank in Vermilion as a bookkeeper until she married Ned Otto. She worked with her husband in the family greenhouse business while raising their four children.

In later years, she worked at Fanny Farmer Candy in Norwalk for 19 years. Following their closing, she worked at Cedar Point for 15 years as a supervisor in guest services.

Nancy was an avid basketball fan and became famously important in the community, serving as Edison High School's basketball scorekeeper for over four decades.

Starting her scorekeeping duties as a freshman in high school at Berlin Heights, Nancy resumed scorekeeping for boys and girls basketball at Edison High School for an additional 39 years. In March, 2015, The Northwest District Board honored Nancy and presented her with a plaque for her dedication. She was nominated by her coaches and chosen to be the official scorekeeper for the Ohio girl's state tournament games in 1991. Nancy cherished her sports career of 43 years and at the age of 77, she retired from basketball scorekeeping in March, 2017. She felt it was time to slow down and spend more time with her loving family.

She would miss all the wonderful people she met throughout her career, but she had fond memories of them. She was ready to start the next chapter in her life.

Nancy was very talented and enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, reading, traveling, sewing, knitting, music, and playing the accordion. She was a gracious kind lady, living a life of love, patience, strong faith, gratitude, understanding, and traditional values. She was a very giving person who had a heart of gold. She would always greet people with kind words and her beautiful smile. She enjoyed the simple things in life.

She was active in Christian Women's Club, Church Choir, 4-H advisor for Erie County, Edison Athletic Boosters, Edison Music Boosters, and was a member of Berlin Heights HS Alumni Association.

In addition to her husband, Ned, Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John T. Johnson; and nephew, Troy Johnson.

Ned and Nancy were high school sweethearts. They married Sept. 24, 1960, at the United Methodist Church in Huron where they were lifelong members.

Together, they proudly attended their children's and grandchildren's school events. They looked forward to talking and spending time with their family on a daily basis and were grateful for these times. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to them.

They are survived by their daughters, Kris (Kevin Demuth) Wilson of Berlin Heights, Julie (Richard) Bernard of Centerburg, and Kara (Jim) Jones of Mooresville, Indiana; son, John Otto; grandchildren, Justin Wilson, Jillian Wilson, Derek Wilson, Trevor Jones, Ariel Jones, Taylor Jones, and Juliet Bernard; great-grandchildren, Camden Wilson, Lakyn Wilson, Callie Wilson, Madeleine Wilson, and Daxton Wilson; Ned's sister, Dianne Woodson of San Diego, California; Nancy's brothers, Ronald (Lori) Johnson of Huron and Terry (Patty) Johnson of Huron; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

To honor Ned and Nancy, a celebration of life will be 1-6 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Berlin Heights Conservation Club, 12217 Chapin Rd., Berlin Heights, Ohio, 44814.

A basketball scholarship has been established at Edison High School for the Nancy Otto Memorial Scholarship. Those wishing to contribute to the Nancy Otto Basketball Scholarship at Edison High School may do so by making checks payable to the Citizenship and Education Foundation and referencing the Nancy Otto Memorial Scholarship in the memo line. Checks can be sent to C&E Foundation in care of Nancy Otto Memorial Scholarship, 140 S. Main St., Milan, Ohio, 44846.

Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is assisting family.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.