Birth date: Nov 17, 1924 Death date: Jan 13, 2010
LEO HENRY ORTBALS, JR., age 85 of Madison Heights died January 13, 2010. He was born Nov. 17, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan. He retired from Distel Tool and Die, Warren in 1987. Enjoyed boating, and could fix almost anything. He was Read Obituary
Our condolences to Loretta and family.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Leo's family during this time of loss. We will miss talking to and seeing Leo in the neighborhood. A void will be felt as we come around the corner and don't hear WJR in the garage. We will never forget Leo scavenging an old bike for our son, Sam last summer. Although the bike was too big for him, we took the bell off it. Leo's thoughtfulness inspired Sam to ride the big-boy bike he was previously too scared to get on. Thanks, Leo. You will be missed.
Shannan, Dave and Sam Melkonian
I told my kids many of those stories from way back when, but what Tyler remembers most is Big Louie giving him wheel barrow rides at the Tittibawassee not long before the place was sold.. what a precious memory that is for me too. Wow, all the Ortbal's history that the cottage held.. And Dylan would go over my mom and dad's house and always tell Grandpa, "let's go see Big Louie". I don't know what drew him to Uncle Leo, maybe it was all the cool stuff he kept in his garage, and the stories he could tell. He thinks all the stuff in his Grandpa's garage is cool too. I like that. Dylan was with me when I found out Uncle Leo had died and he said to me, "I'm sorry mom. I'm tired of people dying, and I liked Big Louie a lot". Yeah, me too..
But I envisioned Grandma and Grandpa Ortbals, and Aunt Helen and Aunt Ginny, all waiting there to meet him.. I am sure they have missed him. And that comforted me and even brought a smile. I know they are all proud of the man he was. He was a good man, he had a good life, and a wonderful family to share it with. And at the end of our days, this to me is what would matter most in life.
Love you all, Donna, Tyler and Dylan
Uncle Leo was always larger than life to me.. The Patriarch of the Ortbals clan. He always had such a presence about him, yet you would find out that really he was this gentle giant. I always loved that devilish little smile you would be rewarded with if he found something you said funny..
I can't think about up north without including Uncle Leo in those thoughts. Who can? And of course he would always bring the Thompson. I thought that was the coolest boat around, and he was always generous in taking us water skiing and giving us rides in that boat, but you best know how to respect her... Uncle Leo always knew how to take charge and get things done, and fix things, even if it were in an unconventional way.. He did a lot of that, even up north. I call it the Ortbal's ingenuity. I like to think I got some of that, even for a girl. Even my kids knew the legends of Big Louie. :) "Uncle Leo must be on his way up".... Yep, we always knew when he was on his way up north to see us, because you could see the rain clouds rolling in... but it would be sunny the next day. :) I think my kids had a hard time believing he was the same man who tore the basketball net down that one fateful day when Uncle Tom disturbed his much needed sleep.. (continued)
Uncle Leo will be missed. He was kind and patient and always had the correct tool and COULD FIND IT! When my Maverick arrived from St. Louis in bad repair, Uncle Freddie sent Pat to Big Louie's garage for U-joints. When Dan Hess stripped the wheel lug nut on his trailer, the guys tried to beat it loose with a hammer. (Note: Pat was not there.) Finally, Big Louie was called to the rescue. He looked at the mess and said, "Uncle Freddie , you should have called me sooner." Only Big Louie would have the patience to keep the wood Thompson in perfect condition. It was not a fishing boat! One time I called him for cell phone numbers and he simply said, "Ann Marie, I don't know nutin about nutin." We loved our times with him at the cottage and his stories about making sorghum and WWII. Our condolences, Ann Marie and Pat
Dear Ortbals Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you all.
I live in Europe, in the Netherlands and I want to say thank you...
Mr. Ortbals fought for our freedom during WWII, to me he is a hero and I truly believe he should never be forgotten.
I hope the family will get in touch with me on my email: [email protected]
Best wishes, Martijn van Haren
Loretta, Janet, Barry, June and Jackie and all the Ortbal family. I send my deepest condolences to you all for your loss of Leo, beloved husband and father. May you find comfort and support in the friends and family who love you and are praying for you at this difficult time. With love, Joyce Barry Schaefer
My deepest sympathies go out to his entire family, especially his wife Loretta, he was our neighbor but also a good friend. He will be truley missed by all of us in the neighborhood.
Our sympathies go out to you at this difficult time. May you find comfort in sweet and happy memories that will forever remain. Love, Mary and Jim
Dear Ortbals Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I remember what a nice man he was and his tinkering around in the garage. I hope you can find comfort that he is at peace and in a better place. Wrap yourself in your memories and the love he had for you.
Sincerely,
Gloria Nastas
