Dr. James J. Otis, 99, of Celina, died at 2:47 p.m. Jan. 3, 2013, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.

He was born Oct. 22, 1913, in Ann Arbor, Mich., to Dr. Lloyd and Barbara Audritsh Otis. On Oct. 9, 1944, he married Betty Hamel, who died June 25, 2010.

Surviving are a son, Jim (Jan) Otis, Chesterfield, Mo.; three daughters, Vicki Otis, Celina; Jeanie Otis Hamm, Dublin, and Sharon (Jim) Grimaud, St. Louis, Mo.; two sisters, Nancy Otis, Celina, and Guendolyn Cron, Celina; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a brother-in-law, Ray Cron.

He was a doctor in Celina for many years. He received a bachelor's degree in 1935 from Denison University and a medical degree in 1940 from the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. His internship was from 1939-1940 at Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, and his OB/GYN residency was in 1940 at Toledo Hospital. He was in medical practice with his father 1940-1952 and was the assistant administrator then administrator at Otis Hospital from 1940-1978. He had a private medical practice and was a general surgeon with his partner Dr. Louis Finkelmeier from 1955-1987, and began a solo practice in 1987.

He was on the medical staff at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater, and Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, beginning in 1978.

He was a member of Nu Sigma Nu Medical Fraternity at University of Cincinnati School of Medicine and Sigma Chi Fraternity at Denison University. He was president of the Mercer County Medical Society, 1966-1968, vice president of Interstate Post Graduate Medical Society, 1965-1967, and president of Mercer County Men's Association, 1966-1967.

He was a member of Masonic Blue Lodge #241 from 1945 to present, Chapter #120, Scottish Rite 32 Degree Mason, Antioch Temple Shrine, Dayton, was third president of Auglaize-Mercer County Shrine Club, 1955, and Jesters Court #10, Dayton, 1961. He was a delegate for the Ohio State Medical Association for Mercer County from 1975-1997, and a charter member of American Academy of Family Practice, 1955 to present. He was Interstate Medical Association vice president in 1957, and a member of the American Medical Association and Ohio State Medical Association from 1940 to present. He also was a member of the Ohio State University President's Club.

He was current and preceding secretary/treasurer of the Auglaize County Medical Society. He served on the board of directors of Otis Hospital Inc., Celina, and was president from 1953-1978.

He was past president of the Mercer County Heart Association, and a member of Mercer County Masonic Lodge and the Shawnee Country Club, Lima.

He received the Presidential Award from President Harry S. Truman for medical service and volunteer care of all Mercer County military families during World War II. He roomed with Woody Hayes while at Denison University.

He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church from 1944 to present, finance chairman of the church, 1966-1974, secretary/treasurer for Auglaize County Medical Society, 1996-1998, and sports physician for Celina High School athletes from 1940 to present.

A Masonic service is 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Celina, the Rev. Matt Reynolds officiating. Burial is at North Grove Cemetery, Celina.

Calling is 3-6 p.m. Sunday at Cisco Funeral Home, Celina.

Contributions may be made to the American Red Cross and the Mercer County Heart Association.

Condolences may be left at www.ciscofuneralhome.com.