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Submitted: 9/3/16 • Approved: 9/3/16 • Last Updated: 9/6/16 • R1153905-G1153354-S3
Otto
September 11, 1929 - March 6, 2016
Helen
September 13, 1930 - March 6, 2016
*Obituary (shared)
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
SPRINGDALE — Otto Oliver Jech and his wife Helen Louise Jech passed from this life March 6, 2016, in Springdale. Otto was born Sept. 11, 1929, in Piedmont, Okla., to Charley and Agnes (Miller) Jech. Helen was born Sept. 13, 1930, in Butterfield, Mo., to Orval and Lula (Galley) Sullivan.
Otto and Helen attended Gentry High School where they first met. They had study hall together and for some reason, Helen could see the clock, but Otto could not. So he found it necessary to ask her often during class to check the time for him. That was the beginning of a 68 year love story. Otto recently told one of his grandchildren that Helen was a wild thing — loving the scariest rides at the fair and being a go-getter on her roller skates.
They both came from families with 10 children, so they had a lot in common, including the fact that several times they had tag-a-longs on their dates. Some invited, some not.
They were married on Jan. 3, 1948, and except for a couple of years in California, they made their home in Springdale, Ark. Otto began his career at George's in 1951 as a grower. He held many positions for the company and in 1980 was named Executive Vice President, a title he held until his death. As Otto exemplified a strong work ethic on his job, Helen's purpose in life was to make a home for him and their children to be safe, loved and nourished.
Otto and Helen were a couple who loved the Lord and faithfully attended First Assembly of God in Springdale until their health prevented them from going. They continued to watch the services on the Internet every Sunday morning. Otto served as a deacon and Helen was involved in the women's ministries. They made lifelong friends in that fellowship of believers.
Family was the center of their lives and if all was well in their extended family, they were content.
On Sunday morning, March 6, Otto passed quickly into his eternal home from a heart attack. Only four hours later, Helen joined him in the arms of Jesus. She died of a broken heart. Married for 68 years, they are now spending eternity together forever. Their's is a true love story.
Otto and Helen are preceded in death by their son, Charles Orval Jech, and their nephew, Dwayne Jech. Otto is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Stazie Vieweg, and four brothers, Leslie Jech, Paul Jech, Sanford Jech, and Lloyd Jech. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Oral Sullivan and Hollis Sullivan.
Left to cherish their memory are their son, Gary Jech and his wife Vicki of Springdale and their daughter, Cheryl Smith and her husband Steve of Gentry, Ark.; their grandchildren, Jennifer Lynn Keeling and her husband Jason, Jeffrey Otto Jech and his wife April, Allison Louise Elcan and her husband Clint, Ruston Beecher Smith, Emily Jordan Smith, Corbin Oliver Smith, Carmen Jech Burasco and her husband Shannon, James Otto Jech and his wife Lisa; and Dwayne's wife Saleta Cochran Jech; great-grandchildren, Peyton Keeling, Riley Keeling, Abigail Elcan, Frank Elcan, Hannah Elcan, and Samuel Elcan, McKenna Burch, Emry Jech, Sophia Burasco, Miya Jech, and Kenji Jech.
Otto is survived by his siblings, Inez Bramwell, Dennis Jech and his wife Maudie, and Roy Jech and his wife Georgena all of Gentry, Ark.; Carl Jech of Tustin, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Doneta Jech of DeSoto, Texas.
Helen is survived by her siblings, Erskel Sullivan and his wife JoAnn of Denair, Calif.; Ralph Sullivan of Gentry, Ark.; Dorothy Trimm and her husband Al of Modesto, Calif.; Ruby Jones and her husband Joel of Claremore, Okla.; Wilma Shelley of Gentry, Ark.; Dale Sullivan and his wife Jeanne of Gentry, Ark.; Larry Sullivan and his wife Carol of Shawnee, Kan.; and sister-in-law, Ruby Sullivan of West Fork, Ark.; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and their special pet Buddy.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral service is 1 p.m., Thursday, March 10, 2016, at First Assembly of God, Springdale, Ark. Private interment at Gentry Cemetery Gentry, Arkansas.
Contributed on 9/3/16 by wfields55
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Record #: 1153905