Otto Killian Combs

Connersville, Indiana Otto K. “OK” Combs, 95, of Connersville, died Thursday evening, January 12, 2012, at Reid Hospital, Richmond. Otto was born in Viper, Kentucky, August 21, 1916, to Curtis Enoch and Cora Brashears Combs. He was a graduate of Stuart Robinson Presbyterian High School in Letcher County, Kentucky and furthered his education with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the University of Kentucky. On July 2, 1937, he was married in Kentucky to the former Marianne Cornett. They had lived in the Connersville area since the late 1940s. From 1942 to 1946, Otto served as a commissioned officer of the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Kula Gulf in the Pacific Ocean. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Otto enjoyed his farm raising corn, hay and beef cattle. He had been employed at Ford Motor Company where he began in the paint room of REX Manufacturing. He was promoted to Process Engineering and retired as the supervisor of that department. Following retirement, he assisted his daughter at Wildwood Flowers, enjoyed gardening and golfing as a member of the Connersville Country Club. His favorite past times included time with his cats and dogs, fishing in the river, hunting, watching the deer and wildlife and feeding the birds. Otto is survived by his daughter: Wanda A. Combs Ferriell of Connersville; two sisters: Florence Gross and Frances Cox of Silver Springs, Maryland; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Otto is preceded in death by his wife of over 73 years, Marianne, who died December 22, 2010; an infant son: David A. Combs; and his sister: Grazia Combs:. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Kathy Luethje and Rev. Fuzzy Lake officiating. Interment will follow in Dale Cemetery with military honors by the Fayette County Veterans Council. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday where memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Indiana University Alzheimer Disease Research. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.