Charles Wayne Otto

Charles Wayne Otto, 88, passed away January 1, 2025 at Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center, Cleveland Clinic, Copley, Ohio after a battle with pancreatic cancer and acute leukemia.

Charles was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Mary (Krasnicki) Otto and Albert Otto. He graduated from Benedictine High School and spent a semester at St. John University in Minnesota in the minor seminary. He then went on to study at John Carroll University where he graduated with majors in math and history while participating in ROTC.

Charles was then a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Transportation Corps at Fort Eustis, Virginia and honorably discharged as 1st Lieutenant. He served in the Ohio Army Reserves for eight years. He taught math at Parma Senior High and later worked for Connecticut General Insurance Company, Pacific Mutual, and finally with the Cleveland Agency of New England Life. He served as assistant General Agent as CLU, and mentored young agents as well as conducted his business selling corporate and family needs for thirty years. Upon retirement, he and his wife helped elderly family members until their passing.

Charles and Audrey (Posch) met in high school and were married 67 years. They moved from Parma to Granger Township, Medina and were members of St. Hilary Catholic Church, where he served Mass for years and also volunteered at St. Edward's Nursing Home. He enjoyed a simple life in the country for 42 years, maintaining his home, property, and tractors. He encouraged Audrey's art career in Greater Cleveland and Sanibel Island, Florida where they spent five months each year at their condo, where he was a board member, and they belonged to St. Isabel Church.

Charles devoted his life to his family. Their children Stephen C. Otto, Laura M. (Kenneth) Bodin, and Mary T. Harbaugh; grandchildren Lauren (Lucas) Zidarin, Michael Harbaugh, Stephen Harbaugh, Maria Harbaugh, Jordan Brock, Jared Brock, Michelle Otto; and four great-grandchildren.

Charles is preceded in death by his brother George, sister Maryann and grandson Justin William Harbaugh.

A burial of ashes will be in the summer at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio with the date to be announced in the future.

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