James Ottis Blake, 75, of Lewisville, Ind., passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Henry County Hospital in New Castle. He was born on March 20, 1938, in Monticello, Ky., to Walter and Lela (Brewster) Blake.
Ottis has been a Henry county resident for over 60 years and retired from Chrysler Corporation in New Castle. He was instrumental in building Horseshoe Bend golf course and enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, and spending time with his family. Ottis was Past Master of the Free & Accepted Masons, Lewisville Lodge #72.
Survivors include his wife, of 55 years, the former Diane Ward, whom he married on Feb. 3, 1959, in Lewisville; three children, James Blake, Jr. (fiancé Terril Hollars) of New Castle, Denise (Tony) Blake-Vaughn of Lewisville and Tami (Keith) Blake-White of Wilkinson; grandchildren, Jeff (Brittany) Blake, Jami Blake (fiancé Dan), SSG Todd (Faye) Land, Tara Land, Abbi White, Olivia White; stepgrandchildren, Justin (Cheyanne) Gabbard, Kayla (Travis) Ison; great- grandchildren, Kiersten and Kameron Blake, Makayla Land; great- stepgrandchildren, Ava and Jackson Gabbard, Cheznie and Gentry Ison; siblings, Robert (Janice) Blake, Mary Ann Orr, Carolyn Blake, Susie (Mike) Downey, Robin Blake.
Ottis was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wallace, Gene, Carl, Freddie, John and Ronnie Blake; sisters, Janie Blake, Anna Higgins.
Family and friends may gather from 4- 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2014, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 1p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2014, at Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Lewisville. Rev. Arthur Whitaker will officiate. Burial will follow at Lewisville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, 6100 W 96th St. #200, Indianapolis, Indiana 46278 or the American Cancer Society, 4567 Progress Drive, Columbus, Indiana 47201.
Online condolences can be made at www.marshallanderleweinfuneralhome.com
