Richard J "Dick" Ort Obituary (1942 - 2018)

Richard J Ort, age 76, of Trufant, passed away Monday morning, November 12, 2018 at his home. The son of Clifford & Zelda Mae (Yost) Ort, he was born on September 18, 1942 in Ionia. After graduating from Belding High School in 1960, he began working at the former Electrolux Home Products, mostly in the paint department, and retired after 38 years of service. On June 11, 1966, in Greenville, he married Marcela Louise Kerns and together they enjoyed 52 years of marriage and raised three children. He was a proud and active member of United Auto Workers Local 137, served on the advisory committee with the Montcalm County Commission on Aging, was active with the Michigan Democratic Party from the local to statewide level, and loved participating in drag racing... both as a driver and as a spectator. For many years, Richard enjoyed league bowling at lanes in Belding, Greenville, Howard City, Lakeview, and Grand Rapids. Over the last dozen years, he delighted in taking "Baby" (his 1987 Corvette) to car shows and parades around West Michigan and was a member of the Greenville Area Corvette Club. Richard had also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Trufant (Maple Valley Township) Fire Department for over 25 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother. Surviving are his wife, Marcela Ort of Trufant; their children, James & Silke Ort of Ulm, Germany, David & Diane Ort of Middleville, and Linda & Ray Richmond of Dickinson, North Dakota; two sisters, Allean & Max Gibbs and Shirlyn Austin, all of Belding; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Dick's life from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville. Honoring his wishes, no formal services will be held and cremation has taken place. Envelopes for memorial contributions to the Montcalm County Commission on Aging will be available at the funeral home.