Jack Ottinger

Jack Richard Ottinger, 61, of Kokomo passed away Saturday, June 26, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo. He was born May 18, 1949 in New Castle the son of Orville L. and Margaret Ruth (LeMay) Ottinger.

A 1967 graduate of Knightstown High School, he retired from Chrysler Corporation, after working at the Indianapolis Shadeland and Kokomo plants. He was a member of UAW #685, and was presently working with KB Backflow in Kokomo.

Jack leaves to cherish his memory his wife: Bridget Ottinger of Kokomo; daughter: Shelli (husband: Matt) Griffin of Rushville; step-daughter: Nicci (husband: Ed) Frazier of Ft. Myers Beach, FL; brothers: Bob (wife: Paula) Ottinger of Knightstown; John (wife: Pam) Ottinger of Carthage; grandchildren: Whitley Griffin (fiancé: Alex Fada) of Greenfield; Wade Griffin of Rushville; Tyler Frazier of Ft. Myers Beach, FL; great granddaughter: Aliyah Paige Fada of Greenfield; brothers-in-law: David Jachim, Dale Jachim, Kevin Jachim; sister-in-law: Heather (husband: Phil) DeLosReyes; father and mother-in-law: Richard and Arlowa (Singleton) Jachim of Anderson; several nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Orville L. and Margaret Ruth (LeMay) Ottinger Young; grandparents: Lloyd and Ethel (Rhoades) Ottinger; step grandmother: Ruth (Parrish) Ottinger; aunt: Betty Imogene (Sipe) Ottinger; step uncle: Paul Parrish.

A good friend, Riley Regan wrote: “The recent death of Jack Ottinger marks the loss of Kokomo’s hardest working volunteer in the fight to prevent and treat alcoholism and other addiction disorders. Jack served on the Mayor’s Community Based Task Force On Substance Abuse Prevention for more than two decades. He was willing to share his own recovery to help those without a voice. He was instrumental in helping Kokomo get Federal funds to develop a drug court which recognized that treatment can be more of an investment than going to prison. He was humble but had a strength about recovery that few have. He was concerned about others in need far more than his own needs. He became a leader in recovery circles throughout Indiana. There are hundreds of individuals and families in the Kokomo area who have overcome their addictions in part because of Jack’s willingness to reach out and give himself to others. A retired Chrysler worker he spent his time making life easier for those not as fortunate as him. I will always remember Jack’s powerful but loving remarks to an individual just starting recovery: ‘You don’t ever have to drink again.’ Jack will be missed and his death leaves a great void. His impact on others will continue and his dedication will never die. Thank you Jack for all you did in your short visit here.”

Services will be at 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service Knightstown Chapel. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Tuesday, June 29 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to Alcoholics Anonymous PO Box 459 New York, NY 10163. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com .