Robert Lewis Ott

St. Joseph, MI – Robert L. Ott, 82, a life long resident of St. Joseph, died quite suddenly on January 1, 2010 at the Trillium Woods/Faith Hospice facility in Byron Center, MI. Robert was a graduate of St. Joseph High School and worked as a draftsman for over 40 years for the Berrien County Road Commission. He was a master modeler of WWI and pre WWII balsa wood airplanes [Cleveland models] and was an avid follower for over 60 years of the University of Michigan football teams. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Shirley Marie [nee Zacha], and his parents: Ernest and Edna Ott. He is survived by his son, Michael R. Ott and his wife Mary Louise; by their children and families: Michael R. and Elizabeth Ott and their son, Payton Michael; John R. Ott and Casie Bunce and their daughter, Taniya Marie; and by Robert's younger brother, Gerald E. Ott of Louisville, Kentucky. A private, family committal service will be held at the Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. on Wednesday, January 6 at 11:00AM. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Care Connections of Southwest Michigan, 2900 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, MI. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.