Francis J. "Buff" Ott

Francis J. “Buff” Ott, 89, of North Fairfield, Ohio, passed away on March 14, 2026, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center. He was born on December 27, 1936, in Norwalk, Ohio, to the late Willard and Helen (Hay) Ott.

A truck driver by trade, Francis had worked for Schaffer Trucking and Dauch Concrete. He also farmed and enjoyed driving his tractor. Francis liked fixing and restoring tractors. His other hobbies included mowing and playing cards, especially with his grandkids. Taking trips on his Gator with his four-legged companion “Trax” was one of his favorite daily activities. He and his loving wife of 60 years, Karen (Sassaman) Ott, took several vacations out west, always taking a scenic route. When he was home, he could often be found on his swing in the yard visiting with friends and neighbors.

Francis served his country as part of the United States Army. He was a member at the American Legion of Sandusky and regularly attended St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.

Besides being survived by his wife, he leaves behind his children Susan (Mike) Egbert, Sandra (Don) Sweeting, Anthony (Veronica) Ott, Fredric (Cindy) Ott, and Matthew Ott; his brother Marcellus “Pete” (Ruth) Ott: brother-in-law Rolland “Butch” (Mary) Sassaman; sisters-in-law, Judy Miller, Martha (Matt) Mykytuk, Bobbie (Mike) Sassaman; as well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Richard Sassaman and Phillamayne (nee Heymann) (Mose Dudley) Sassaman; brother, Wilbert Ott and sister, Theresa Smith, brother-in-law, James Smith, and sister-in-law, Barbara Sassaman.

The family would like to thank the staff at Fisher-Titus Medical Center for their loving and compassionate care of Francis.

Visitation for Buff will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk. A funeral Mass will be held the following day, Monday, March 23, 2026, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow in North Fairfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1322 Settlement Rd., Norwalk, OH 44857, or the North Fairfield Fire Department, 6 N. Main St., North Fairfield, OH 44855. Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting: www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com