Josef Otmar

OTMAR, Josef, age 89, noted cabinetmaker, escaped communism in Czechoslovakia and pursued liberty on three continents before finding the American Dream in Centerville, Ohio. He passed away peacefully at home on June 13, 2017. Otmar was born July 26, 1927, in Nova Ves nad Popelkou, Czechoslovakia. As a young man seeking freedom from communism, he left home on May 14, 1949, with a few books in a knapsack and began an odyssey that took him from Czechoslovakia, through Germany, Australia, Canada, and finally to the United States. In 1960, he purchased a corner lot in Montgomery, Ohio, where he founded Furniture by Otmar. In 1980, he opened a second store in Centerville, Ohio, where he continued to manufacture custom furniture that was purchased by loyal customers from around the globe who appreciated his meticulous old world craftsmanship. In appreciation of the freedom he found in his adopted country, patriot Otmar displayed a two-story high American flag in his store. Until four weeks ago, he was still going to the workshop, doing what he loved. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Alberta Otmar. Together they realized the culmination of his dreams by building his business in Washington Township. His brother Milan of the Czech Republic predeceased him. Survivors include brothers Jiri (Marie) Otmar of Springfield, VA, and Zdenek (Lidka) Otmar of Nova Ves nad Popelkou, the Czech Republic, and sister-in-law Anci Otmar of the Czech Republic; sons Josef Otmar V, Peter (Lynn) Otmar, Wim (Giselle) Schipper of Cincinnati, OH; Milo Otmar, of San Diego, CA, and Bob (Jennifer) Schipper of Lake Barrington, IL; daughters Eve Otmar of Williamsburg, VA, Elenka Otmar of Sydney, Australia, and Helen (Tony) Fields of Temecula, CA, and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren in the United States, the Czech Republic, and Australia. His first wife, Eve Ormiston Otmar, of Sydney, Australia. The family will receive friends from 10-12pm on Friday, June 16, 2017 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd, Kettering. A funeral service will immediately follow visitation.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429