Otto Rowland

Otto Rowland age 95 of Sparta, Missouri, passed away on August 4, 2024, in his home surrounded by his children. Otto was born on May 24, 1929, to John Anders Rowland and Frances Minerva Simpson.

 In his early days 1960’s and 70’s, Otto owned the Skelly Service Station in Sparta Missouri. He went on to work for and retire from Associated Wholesale Grocers in Springfield, Missouri as a truck driver. Otto was a hard-working man who needed to stay busy after retirement and went on to work for the City of Sparta and was appointed the Grand Marshall in 2017.

In December of 1948, Otto married Leta Fay Lewallen and together they had seven children. Otto enjoyed many things in his life like hunting, fishing, salvaging, gambling, and playing pitch. He loved to tinker in his garage and repurpose anything and everything he could get his hands on. Otto was the “hometown junker”. It was like Christmas morning to him each day he found junk sitting outside his garage. All of Sparta knew they could drop off all kinds of junk at his house. Otto was always ready to play pitch with both family and friends, and he was a master pitch player and enjoyed the game very much. Most of all he loved to go gambling every chance he could get he’d ask his kids and grandkids when they were going to venture up to the casino. Otto loved all his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and his great-great-grandkids.

Otto was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Leta, and his 14 brothers and sisters as well as two daughters Fay Conner, and Linda Cawthra, and his grandchildren, Tonya Eakins, Scott, Rowland, and Travis Eakins. He is survived by his children, David Rowland, Kay Eakins Estep, Vickie Applegate, Richard Rowland, and Sherry Holt Hardison.

 Otto is also survived by his numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and 96 grandkids.

 A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. On Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Pastor Jim Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in Sparta Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the funeral home.