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John E. Ortman

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Submitted by agreve on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 08:57

John Ellis Ortman, 85, of Rochester Hills, Mich., passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Hospice care.

A memorial service in Michigan will be planned for a later date. 

John was born July 18, 1939, in Littleport. He spent his youth in Littleport and later in Guttenberg. He graduated from Guttenberg High School in 1957 and went on to The University of Iowa, graduating in 1962. John was married to Lorna Zittergruen of Guttenberg from 1959 to 1978. He has been married to Carol Watson since 1987.

Upon graduation from The University of Iowa, he taught art for one year and then entered the world of Chicago advertising. As an art director, he created storyboards and animatics for Fortune 500 clients. He was part of over 500 major ad campaigns and eventually launched his own business, The Storyboard Studio. Working on behalf of major advertising agencies in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit, he grew his staff from just himself to over 10 artists and reps.

After 40 years in advertising, John and Carol moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where John pursued being a fine artist and travelled internationally creating 33 paintings and selling 29 of them in a one-man show for a gallery opening in San Miguel. 

John loved to laugh and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, skiing, travel, and eating in fine restaurants. His wish was that his family be proud and strong and that they remember him in the best of times of his well-lived life.

John is survived by his wife, Carol of Rochester Hills, Mich.; brother, Jim (Debbie) Ortman of Buckhead, Ga.; son, Todd (Sandy) Ortman of Brush Prairie, Wash.; grandchildren, Lisa and Samantha Ortman of Yacolt, Wash.; son, Eric (Sherri) Ortman of Brook Park, Minn.; grandchildren, Ben (Kiah) Ortman, Jennifer (Austin) Svoboda, Dan Ortman, and stepdaughter, Kelli (Mike) White of Rochester, Mich.; great-grandchildren, Winston, Lewis, Owen, Mila, and Ivan; step-grandson, Nicolas, as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Joel Ortman; stepson, Kevin Laidig, and parents, Glen (Ruth) Ortman, and Leona (Joe) Mohr.

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