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1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr.
4 Merrill William George Ottwein, who passed away on March 21,
5 2024; and
6 WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was born to Oscar John and Hilda
7 (Bardelmeier) Ottwein in Troy on April 24, 1929; he received
8 degrees in agriculture, agricultural economics, and veterinary
9 medicine from the University of Illinois; he married Grace
10 Schmidt at Frieden's United Church of Christ in Troy on
11 September 2, 1950; and
12 WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein founded Hawthorne Animal Hospital in
13 Glen Carbon in 1956 and practiced until 1966 when his family
14 moved to Honduras to do mission work through the United Church
15 World Ministries; and
16 WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was elected to the Illinois Senate in
17 1969, serving the 53rd Senate District; after serving for one
18 term, he became involved with developing communities and
19 founded his company, Homebuyer's Relocation Services, with his
20 son, Paul; he also served on numerous industry-related boards
21 and committees; and
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1 WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein's first love was his family, but he
2 also enjoyed singing in various barbershop and vocal groups,
3 playing his trombone in community bands and small ensembles,
4 and researching family history; and
5 WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was preceded in death by his parents
6 and his grandson, Dr. Brent Leh; and
7 WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein is survived by his wife of 73 years,
8 Grace Ottwein; his sister, Audrey Deeren; his children, Ann
9 (Michael) Culp, Amy (Keith) Zagar, Paul (Amber) Ottwein, and
10 Emily Ottwein; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, John
11 Ottwein and Nicole DeVerter-Ottwein, Adam and Jessica Ottwein
12 (Annabelle and Oscar), Tyler Ottwein and Emma Pieper, Dakota
13 Roper and fianc Tyler Orgler, Richard and Laura Leh (Devyn),
14 Matthew and Catherine Zagar (Jane and Dylan), Patrick Zagar,
15 Benjamin Ottwein, Bethany and Eric Paulsen (Emmet), Benjamin
16 and Megan Culp (Julia, Wesley, Owen), Nathan and Pamela Culp
17 (Clayton), and Gregory and Victoria Culp (Brentleigh and
18 Elisabeth); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews;
19 therefore, be it
20 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
21 HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
22 we mourn the passing of Dr. Merrill William George Ottwein and
23 extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all
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1 who knew and loved him; and be it further
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