Obituaries

May 15, 1939 to May 16, 2024

WINAMAC - Otto James “Ott” Ruff, 85, of Star City passed away peacefully Thursday, May 16.

He was born May 15, 1939 in Logansport to the late Herald Francis “Hap” and Gertrude Regina [Shultz] Ruff. He was a proud graduate of Star City High School Class of 1957. After a strong pursuit, he married Donna Joann White on Nov. 12, 1960 in Lafayette. She survives.

Otto Ruff

He is also survived by:
Ricky Joseph Ruff, Son
James Jay (Sheila) Ruff, Son
Robert Jon (Shamay) Ruff, Son
Beth Ann Ruff-Crawford, Daughter-in-law
Grandchildren: Jacob (Jenna) Ruff, Joshua (Hayley) Ruff, Jennifer (Ryan) Ledford, Justin (Katy) Ruff, Jami Ruff, Madison Ruff, Andrew “AJ” Ruff, Megan (Tyler) Denniston, and Morgan (fiancé: Tyler Walker) Ruff.
11 Great-Grandchildren: Calvin, Brooks, D’Arcy, Hunter, Bowen, Lyla, Alayna, Logan, Rosanna, Stevie, and Happ
Nancy M. Ruff, Sister
John J. White, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

He was preceded in death by:
Jeffrey James Ruff, Son
Rosemary Weaver, Sister
Margery Ann Penn, Sister
Harold F. “Bud” Ruff Jr., Brother
Joan G. Rater, Sister
Jerrald White, Brother-in-law

Following their marriage, Mr. Ruff and his wife continued their lives in the Star City area and raised four sons. He was very involved in his sons’ lives and enjoyed coaching Star City Little League and serving as a 4-H Leader. He had a legendary Little League reputation, and especially enjoyed showing livestock with his sons and grandchildren. He was fondly known by many as the “oldest 4-H’er in Pulaski County”. He had a strong work ethic - a trait he passed on to his sons. He was employed at Dean Foods and then Wilson Foods. Later in life, he and Donna ran a vending route together where they encountered many new friends. He spent as much time as he could helping out on the family farm - proudly keeping track of the loads of grain for the boys. He was an avid IU Basketball fan and an animal lover. He enjoyed fishing in Northern Minnesota with family and playing a contentious game of marbles. He savored many large bowls of ICE CREAM over the years and even had a triple scoop cone named after him. He spent many summers competing in area antique tractor pulls (with a cigar in his mouth). Mr. Ruff was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski and longtime member of the Star City Volunteer Fire Department. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday, May 20, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski with Rev. Dennis Faker officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to Pulaski Animal Center or Warrior Youth Baseball.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.