MR. LOREN L. OTTWELL, 82, of Pittsfield, IL and formerly of Pearl, IL died Monday, June 28, 2010 at his residence.  He was born on November 7, 1927 near Bee Creek in Pike County, IL to Elmer and Nellie Lunsford Ottwell.  He married Velma Faye Franklin at the Wood River Presbyterian Church, Wood River, IL on March 6, 1954, and she survives.  Mr. Ottwell was a self-employed carpenter.  He was a 1945 graduate of Pearl High School.  After graduation he went to work with Gulf Mobile at the Ohio Railroad in Vincennes with the masonry gang.  Loren was inducted in the WW II draft with the occupational forces for 9 months.  He served his country in the US Army.  After returning home to Pike County, Loren took up the carpentry trade after attending GI school to learn the trade.  He worked  for several contractors before going into the carpenter business for himself. He was a member of the Pittsfield Church of Christ.  He enjoyed Bible study, gardening, and growing strawberries.  He was also the author of three books.  He became a member of the Church of Christ when he was 26 years old.  He taught Sunday School for several years.  His hobbies were traveling and writing.  He and Faye spent a lot of time in Arizona and the state of Washington.  He was known for writing articles for the Pike Press, Calhoun News, and the Yuma Daily Sun under the pen name “The Bard of Bee Creek.  He was the author of three books, Drink at the Fountain, Fruits of Solitude, and A Spy in Yuma.  Loren became an avid walker after his retirement and marked his 75^th birthday by walking from his birthplace in Bee Creek to Pittsfield.  

Survivors:  His wife Faye of Pittsfield, IL, five children:  David Ottwell and Martha Ottwell of Pittsfield, Il, Paul Ottwell of Olympia, WA, Phillip Ottwell of Milton, IL, and John Ottwell of St. Louis, MO.  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, two brothers, Ray Ottwell of Sara Sota, FL, and LeRoy Ottwell of St. Louis, MO. 

Funeral Services  will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the Niebur Funeral Home, Pittsfield, Illinois with Bro. Don Crater officiating.  Burial will be at the Greenpond Cemetery, Pearl, IL.  A visitation will be held on Friday, July 2, 2010 from 4 until 8 pm at the Niebur Funeral Home, Pittsfield, Illinois.

 Memorials are suggested to the Relay for Life or Blessing Hospice of Pike County.

Condolences may be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the services.