100th Anniversary Stories | Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices

100 Days, 100 Stories:
These are the stories that we have released so far...

Kathleen (Robbins) Wilburn

My parents, Helen and Junior Robbins, were residents of Otterbein St. Marys as was my last living grandma, Burdette Huddlestun. When she passed in the fall of '02, I invited my parents to move to California and live with me. They accepted. But as the months and then years went by, my Dad got more and more homesick for (fishing), I mean Ohio. Fishing in the Pacific Ocean apparently does not compare with fishing in Grand Lake! All I ever wanted for my parents was for them to be happy. So even though they are geographically apart, they are both happy and enjoying their retirement. There is no way I would have sent Dad back to Ohio unless there had been a place for him at Otterbein. Otterbein represents the best in care for him and peace of mind for me. He's happy, Mom's happy and I am overjoyed that Otterbein keeps getting better and better with time. Take care of my Dad, he's the only one I've got.

Donor, Family Member/Friend of Resident

I am affiliated with Otterbein St. Marys Senior Lifestyle Community
Rochelle Barnhill

Coming to Otterbein, I didn’t know what to expect. I couldn’t believe my eyes. How will this work? It’s not a traditional nursing home. It’s more like your home away from home. The elders are so nice and they quickly become a part of your everyday family. Great to hear stories and create memories, this community has made me see all the love that I bring is worthwhile.

Partner

I am affiliated with Otterbein Skilled Nursing & Rehab Neighborhood - Monclova
Samuel Bowsher

First of all, the wonderful care that was given to my now deceased wife from 2006 through 2009 was tremendous. The kindness, support and love shown to me since her passing. Also, giving me the great opportunity to develop a piano ministry here along with the opportunity for participation in a leadership role for morning devotions, substituting for Bible study and leading Sunday afternoon services. Thank you so much.

Resident
Alice Crawford and Ray Whetstone

Our meeting of and memory of good friend, Frank Fisher, who created the men's morning breakfast group here and was so involved in many activities was a blessing. Tina's many activity programs keep us from becoming couch potatoes. The community garden space provides us such a joy because we can prepare, grow, and harvest vegetables for ourselves and our many friends here.

Residents

I am affiliated with Otterbein Cridersville Senior Lifestyle Community
Patricia E. Smith

I moved to Otterbein feeling very positive about what my life here was going to be like. I have not been disappointed. I feel useful, a valuable member of a very warm and friendly community. I never feel alone or left out. There are so many friends to enjoy and share happy or interesting times with. I am still free to attend activities outside of the community here as well. I really feel very safe and contented living here at Otterbein.

Resident
Ruth Ann Manges

When I moved back to Ohio from Georgia and made the move to Otterbein Portage Valley, I had no idea how involved I would become in this community in four years. In addition to becoming an independent living resident, I quickly became a volunteer by baking cookies, serving on several committees, helping at community events, being in Christmas plays, etc. A short while later, I became a partner working at the reception desk. And then a bigger honor became mine when I was named a resident representative to the Otterbein Portage Valley Board in 2011. My family knows that if I'm not in my villa I'm usually somewhere up in campus center. My interest in Otterbein Portage Valley may have stemmed from my sister-in-law who used to work here, but I'm now proud to say I'm engaged and involved and tell others that this is the place for them to live and participate and make new friends.

Resident, Partner, Donor, Board Member

I am affiliated with Otterbein Portage Valley Senior Lifestyle Community
Jean Pierce-Jones

My sister and brother-in-law, Owen and Ada Wasson, moved to a patio home in 2004 and thoroughly enjoyed the friendliness of everyone. The care and concern for their every need gave me much comfort.

Family Member/Friend of Resident

I am affiliated with Otterbein Lebanon Senior Lifestyle Community
Clarice Hall

My story started over 12 years ago at a time in my life where I felt and I needed to do more for myself, my family, and for others. I give thanks to Marlen and Denny for these wonderful 12 years. I have made so many friends with residents, with their family members and employees. I have my mother here as a nursing resident with me to be able to see each and every day. I have experienced joy, happiness, love, and sadness and the true spirit of Otterbein mission with so many who work and live here at this Otterbein St. Marys community. I have served on several committees with employees and with the residents as well. I pride myself on giving and serving to each and every one, every day that I’m here. There are days that I feel and wish that I could do more. I have received so much love in return that it makes coming to work the best part of my day. When walking down the hallways to see a smiling face and the residents speak to you by name. Others can’t speak, but a simple touch of your hand or a kind word is all it takes to get a smile from them. We are all on this journey together to teach and help each other. I have learned that it is not what you say, but what you do that really matters. The message to lead by example is a great way to live life. To always keep in faith, to spread hope, joy, and encouragement from the heart. Just like our administrator Fred Wiswell does every day on his daily walks. That is what it is all about. We are all servers of God and I feel that is why he has put me here at Otterbein St. Marys. Truly blessed.

Partner

I am affiliated with Otterbein St. Marys Senior Lifestyle Community
Juli Armentrout Peterson

Between my sophomore and junior year in high school, my father was moved to the Wilmington District to become the district superintendent. It was a difficult time and a difficult summer. I received a call from Wendall Butt and Lyn Huffman, two pastors who were involved in a summer teen camp at Otterbein. They invited me to join them for a week. I didn't have much experience relating to older individuals and was feeling a bit insecure. I was truly blessed during that summer experience. I met a woman, Grandma Tilly. She became a friend that I felt comfortable with. With a 70-year difference in our ages, we discussed family, food, faith and adjustments necessary to make in our lives. I visited Grandma Tilly for years after that camp. Relating to older individuals was easy and this experience helped me find a precious friend. Shortly after our move to Wilmington, Dad became involved in Otterbein and it has been a part of our lives ever since.

Family Member/Friend of Resident

I am affiliated with Otterbein Lebanon Senior Lifestyle Community
Gerry Briden

That day in October when we heard the doctor say, "acute leukemia," our lives were turned upside down. The future now for us was uncertain. The following day, my husband was hospitalized and began eight months in and out of the hospital for chemo treatments. The following May we heard the word, "remission." From that point on, my husband's goal was to get things in order for me for when he was gone.

Our first stop was Otterbein Portage Valley. We had visited there several times and thought it would be a lovely place for us, "later in life." But now, it was crunch time. We realized that there wouldn't be a "later in life," time for us and so we made the decision to move in. By August, we had cleaned out our home and moved into a villa at Otterbein Portage Valley. We were hoping my husband would have a month to make friends and fish in the pond before he passed away. God graciously gave him exactly one year and what a wonderful year it was. When he passed away, I already had a whole community of support for me. Now as I live here without him, I am not alone and I'm so thankful for all the support and friendship that I still have from my friends here. I couldn't have done it without all of them.

Resident

I am affiliated with Otterbein Portage Valley Senior Lifestyle Community