George A. Ortman, 79, of Edinburg, IL, peacefully passed from this earth and into God’s hands on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in his home where he had been lovingly cared for 14 years. He was born on November 20, 1945, in Springfield, IL, the son of Anthony and Lucille (Lowe) Ortman. On October 25, 1970, he married Janis Warren, a marriage that would span 54 years, in Davis Memorial Christian Church, Taylorville, IL.
December 1965 to December 1967 George was in the Army where he served his county in Germany engineering division rising to the rank of lieutenant. After serving his county he returned home to be employed by Georgia Pacific until its closure. He then became an instructor in truck driver training at CJ’s in Assumption as well as Lincoln Land Community College. George finished his working career, of almost twenty years, in the Illinois Department of Transportation.
George was a muscle car man enjoying many fast cars in his younger years. He was an avid Mopar man, and many weekends found him racing at local drag strips. Later in life he owned and proudly showed at car shows, his beautiful Plymouth GTX. George also became a HAM radio operator and enjoyed speaking with people all over the world and, even off this world, when he spoke to the Challenger space shuttle while it was in flight. In his elder years he enjoyed having a cup of coffee in his sunroom along with a slice of his wife’s peach cobbler. Anywhere he traveled in life George never met a stranger.
As a youth George was a member of Davis Memorial Christian Church where he was baptized. Later in life he attended the Church of Christ in Taylorville and Edinburg Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife: Janis Ortman of Edinburg, IL; son: Geoffrey Ortman of Taylorville, IL; sisters: Janice (Tracy) Hayden of Pinckneyville, IL; Jean Ortman of Taylorville, IL; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Lucille Ortman, his son, Brandon Lynn Ortman, and his brother, Peter Anthony Ortman.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville. A funeral service will be held the following day, Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Sutton Memorial Home with Pastor Dan Spruell officiating. George will be afforded military rites at a later date.
Memorials in George’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to Wounded Warriors.
Sutton Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at suttonmemorialhome.com.
