Gary L Altstaetter's Obituary
Gary Altstaetter Obituary
Columbus Grove Gary L. Altstaetter, 70, died at 1:20 a.m. Feb. 13, 2012, at St. Rita's Medical Center. He was born Jan. 16, 1942, in Cairo to Jacob J. "Jack" and Leah G. Lamb Altstaetter, who preceded him in death. On June 5, 1965, he married Carol Wriggelsworth, who survives in Columbus Grove. Mr. Altstaetter was a 1960 graduate of Columbus Grove High School and a 1965 graduate Ohio Northern University School of Pharmacy, Ada, from which he became a licensed pharmacist. During his college years, he worked at Lima Memorial Hospital in the pharmacy department for a year. Upon graduation, he worked at Hawkey's Pharmacy, Columbus Grove. In 1978, he and his wife, bought the store from George and Bea Hawkey. In 1988, they built a new store a few doors north of the old location, which they operated until their retirement in October 2005. He was a member of St. John United Methodist Church, Columbus Grove. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, going to Pennsylvania hunting, woodworking and carving. He was very proud of his family and especially enjoyed the grandchildren and attending their various activities. He was a member of the Northwest Ohio Pharmaceutical Association, the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association and the National Society of Compounding Pharmacists. He served on several local boards, among which were the Putnam County Planning Commission, Home Health Agency and the Columbus Grove Board of Appeals. He served several terms as president of the Columbus Grove Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Republican Central Committee, the Bow Benders Hunt Club, the Columbus Grove Archery Club, which he co-founded, and the Putnam County Precinct Committee. He served on the Putnam-Hancock-Seneca Counties Boy Scouts Council. He had been an Eagle Scout and served as a den master and Scout leader. He had been a member of the Columbus Grove Lions Club. Following his retirement, he got easily bored and took a new direction in his life. He hooked up with the pharmacy at Norton Sound Hospital, Nome, Alaska. He loved Alaska, especially in winter, and it opened his horizons dramatically. Recently he decided to expand his horizons again and began working with the Ohio State Penitentiary System in Marion and Chillicothe. Survivors also include a son, Mark (Wendy) Altstaetter, of Jefferson, Ga.; a daughter, Jennifer (Terry) Marvin, of Findlay; nine grandchildren, Todd Marvin, Megan Ridenour, Kirk Ridenour, Miranda Ridenour, Thayne Clymer, Allie Elrod, Audrey Elrod, Jacob Altstaetter and Jeremy Altstaetter; a brother-in-law, James (Barb) Wriggelsworth, of Lima; and a sister-in-law, Anita (Barry) Rowe, of Virginia Beach, Va. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John United Methodist Church, Columbus Grove. Pastor Gary Ginter will officiate. Burial will be in Cairo East Cemetery, Cairo. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove, and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, St. John United Methodist Church, the Columbus Grove Archery Club or the charity of the donor's choice.
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