WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Norby R. Ortmann, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away late Wednesday evening, March 21, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
He was born Aug. 15, 1926, in Detroit, a son of Frank and Agnes (Jesch) Ortman.
Mr. Ortmann resided in Sturgis since 1960 coming from East Detroit.
On July 24, 1948 he married Rita Strzalkowski at the Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Detroit.
He retired in 1989 from Ross Laboratory in Sturgis following 22 years of dedicated employment. Before joining Ross Lab he had worked as a custodian at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis and for 13 years he had worked for the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit.
Mr. Ortmann was a member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis and enjoyed bowling, building doll houses, 3-D puzzles, Legos and collecting model automobiles.
Mr. Ortmann was proud to have served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps, earning the rank of corporal.
He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 64 years, Rita; two daughters, Judith Ann (Steve) Schroeder and Geraldine (Charles) Comden both of Sturgis; two sons, Leonard (Beth) Ortmann and James Ortmann both of Sturgis; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth (Ann) Ortman of Sterling Heights and Gerald (Nancy) Ortman of Bronson; two sisters, Rita Kolbelarz of Detroit and Irene Stack of Warren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Thomas Ortmann; one great-granddaughter, Libby Fisher; one brother, Richard Ortman; and two sisters, Sylvia Visoccki and Virginia Ortman.
The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Saturday and 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis. The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. A funeral Mass celebrating the life of Norby R. Ortmann will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Father Richard Altine of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hastings and the Rev. Father German Perez-Diaz of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis where full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Ortmann’s memory consider the Holy Angels Catholic Church, 402 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Sturgis Lions Club c/o: Citizens Bank 100 E. Chicago Rd, Sturgis, MI 49091.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
