Lois Grace Gallapoo died Saturday, February 23, 2013, at Wooster Community Hospital. She was born October 24, 1933, at home, in Valley City. She was the fourth of six children born to Rupert A. Otterbacher and Grace C. (Shore) Otterbacher.
She attended the Liverpool Township Schools, graduating in 1951 in a class of 11. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1955, with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
Lois married David F. Gallapoo July 23, 1955 and taught at Joseph Hill School for elementary school age children with special needs, in Ft. Smith Arkansas, where Dave was serving in the U.S Army. In 1956, Lois and Dave were hired by Wooster City Schools and Lois taught Speech and Hearing at all levels for five years.
Lois is survived by her husband, Dave; daughter, Amy Redmond (Joe Duda); sons, Dale (Vicki) Gallapoo and Matt Gallapoo (Darlene Casto); grandchildren, Holly (Jeremy) Pope, Katie Redmond, all of Wooster, and David E. and Clara Gallapoo of Columbus; brothers, Gaylord (Barbara) Otterbacher of Stoutsville, Ohio, and Gerald (Penny) Otterbacher of Litchfield; and sister, Carol (Roger) Morlock of Abbeyville, Ohio. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by brothers, Melvin and Curtis Otterbacher.
Lois held several memberships including Life Membership of the Greater Ohio Showmen’s Association (GOSA), which recognized her as Showperson of the Year in 2006 and Lifetime Achievement in 2009. She was recognized by The P.E.O Sisterhood Chapter AP, with Honorary Golden Membership for dedication to that organization. She was also a member of the Flora Lynn Garden Club and was a past member of the AAUW and Quota Club.
After teaching, Lois was active in the Outdoor Amusement Industry for over 50 years and in the Auction business for 40 years with Dave.
Beyond her family, her greatest joy was making cotton candy and candy apples for kids at Ohio and Michigan fairs and festivals.
Lois’ cremains will be inurned at the family plot at Zion Lutheran Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013, 11 A.M., at Zion Lutheran Church, 2233 Abbeyville Rd. Valley City, Ohio, with Reverend Michael Koch officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives one hour prior to the service and at lunch in the church, immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Rupert Otterbacher Scholarship Fund of GOSA, P.O. Box 2448, Zanesville, OH 43702, or the PEO Sisterhood Chapter AP, in care of Louise Plusquellec, 208 Oakley Rd. Wooster, OH 44691 or a favorite charity.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, OH 44691, is assising the family with arrangements.