Ronald W. Abbott

Ronald W. Abbott, 59, of Catawba Island, Ohio died Thursday, June 27, 2013 at the University of Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He was born on July 31, 1953 in Fremont, Ohio, the son of the late John and Constance (Timpe) Abbott. He married Karen Stitzlein on December 27, 1975 and she survives. Ron was currently employed as a Professor of Humanities at Terra State College in Fremont, and also as the Director of Music at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor, Ohio. Prior to his current positions, he was a Lutheran Minister for 15 years, serving at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cardington, Ohio as well as at Living Lord Lutheran Church in Warren, Ohio. He was the Music Director at St. James Catholic Church in Niles, Ohio, St. Peter's Catholic Church in Huron, Ohio, and at the First Lutheran Church in Strongsville, Ohio, where he directed the adult and youth choirs, the handbell choir, and brass choir. His love for music and the arts drew him to acting and directing in community theatre, locally: the Bellevue Society for the Arts, Playmakers Civic Theatre in Port Clinton, Harlequins Theatre in Sandusky and the Terra Arts Choral Society. His hobbies included: geneology (Abbott family history), reading, singing, playing the cello, boating, and an interest in the history of presidential assassinations and the sinking of the Titanic, and playing with his canine companions- corgis: Monty and Trudy. Survivors include his wife: Karen; sons: Steven (fiance Ann Hackett) Abbott, Washington D.C. and Michael (fiance Michelle Skinner) Abbott, Strongsville, Ohio; brothers: Richard (Fran) Abbott, Marietta, Georgia; James Abbott, Fremont, Ohio; David (Jan Roller) Abbott, Cleveland, Ohio; Douglas (Donna) Abbott, Denver, Colorado; and sister: Susan Abbott, Galloway, Ohio. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 from 4-9pm at the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, 1124 Fulton Street, Port Clinton. On Wednesday, July 3, 2013 additional visitation will be held at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 122 W. Ottawa Street, Oak Harbor, Ohio from 10am until Funeral Services at 11am with Pastors Deb Domeier, Michael Hout, and Fred Krebs officiating. A light luncheon will be held in the church hall immediately following the service. Burial will then follow at 2:30pm at Oakwood Cemetery in Ballville, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Music Funds at any of the Lutheran churches were he served: St. John Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor; First Lutheran Church in Strongsville, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cardington or Living Lord Lutheran Church in Warren, Ohio. Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Port Clinton Chapel 1124 Fulton Street Port Clinton, OH