Ottawa (La Salle County, IL)

Notable Births & Deaths for Ottawa ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Ottawa. Please note that while we are collecting data on an ongoing basis, it's a big task and it's unlikely that our list will ever be more than a sample.

James Leroy 'Sunny Jim' Bottomley (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Oglesby (IL) on April 23, 1900 (a Monday) and died in Saint Louis (MO) on December 11, 1959 (a Friday).
- Oglesby is located 12 miles [19.3 km] to the west of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- Saint Louis is located in , Missouri.
- At the time of his death, he was 59.
- He is buried at Sullivan IOOF Cemetery.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for James Leroy 'Sunny Jim' Bottomley<1>
Scotty Bowers (Author)
- Born: George Albert Bowers
- He was born in Ottawa on July 1, 1923 (a Sunday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on October 13, 2019 (a Sunday).
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 96.
- He is buried at Los Angeles National Cemetery, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Scotty Bowers<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Los Angeles National Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Los Angeles National Cemetery (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Los Angeles National Cemetery
Hugh 'Lumpy' Brannum (Vocalist, arranger, composer, actor)
- He was born in Sandwich (IL) on January 5, 1910 (a Wednesday) and died in East Stroudsburg (PA) on April 19, 1987 (a Sunday).
- Sandwich is located in DeKalb County and is 23 miles [37 km] to the northeast of Ottawa (which is located in La Salle County).
- East Stroudsburg is located in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
- At the time of his death, he was 77.
- The body was cremated.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Hugh 'Lumpy' Brannum<1>
John William 'Bud' Clancy (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Odell (IL) on September 15, 1900 (a Saturday) and died in Ottumwa (IA) on September 26, 1968 (a Thursday).
- Odell is located in Livingston County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast of Ottawa (which is located in La Salle County).
- Ottumwa is located in Wapello County, Iowa.
- At the time of his death, he was 68.
- He is buried at St. Paul Cemetery, located 28 miles [45.1 km] to the southeast of Ottawa. The cemetery is located in Livingston County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for John William 'Bud' Clancy<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for St. Paul Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to St. Paul Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to St. Paul Cemetery
Jessie Davis (Opera Singer)
- Full name: Jessie Bartlett Davis
- She was born in Morris (IL) in September 1859 and died in Chicago (IL) on May 14, 1905 (a Sunday).
- Morris is located in Grundy County and is 21 miles [33.8 km] to the east of Ottawa (which is located in La Salle County).
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- She is buried at Oak Woods Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Jessie Davis<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Oak Woods Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Oak Woods Cemetery (IL) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Oak Woods Cemetery
Sam 'Mad Sam' DeStefano (Crime figure)
- He was born in Streator (IL) on September 13, 1909 (a Monday) and died in Chicago (IL) on April 14, 1973 (a Saturday).
- Streator is located 15 miles [24.1 km] to the south of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 63.
- He is buried at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, which is located in Cook County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Sam 'Mad Sam' DeStefano<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery (IL) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
Frank Wesley Griffith (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Gilman (IL) on November 18, 1872 (a Monday) and died in Waterman (IL) on December 13, 1908 (a Sunday).
- Gilman is located in Iroquois County, Illinois.
- Waterman is located in DeKalb County and is 29 miles [46.7 km] to the north of Ottawa (which is located in La Salle County).
- At the time of his death, he was 36.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Frank Wesley Griffith<1>
Paul Harvey (Actor)
- Full name: Roy Paul Harvey
- He was born in Sandwich (IL) on September 10, 1882 (a Sunday) and died somewhere in Los Angeles County (IL) on December 15, 1955 (a Thursday).
- Sandwich is located in DeKalb County and is 23 miles [37 km] to the northeast of Ottawa (which is located in La Salle County).
- At the time of his death, he was 73.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Paul Harvey<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
Harry Lachman (Director)
- He was born in La Salle (IL) on June 29, 1886 (a Tuesday) and died in Beverly Hills (CA) on March 19, 1975 (a Wednesday).
- La Salle is located 11 miles [17.7 km] to the west of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- Beverly Hills is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 88.
- He is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Harry Lachman<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Thomas S. 'Jumbo' Lynch (1884/08/05:1884/08/05)
- He was born in Peru (IL) on January 1, 1863 (a Thursday) and died in Peru (IL) on May 13, 1903 (a Wednesday).
- Peru is located 14 miles [22.5 km] to the west of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- Peru is located 14 miles [22.5 km] to the west of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- At the time of his death, he was 40.
- We don't have any burial details.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Thomas S. 'Jumbo' Lynch<1>
Edward Patrick 'Slip' Madigan (Professional football, coach)
- He was born in Ottawa on November 18, 1896 (a Wednesday) and died in Oakland (CA) on October 10, 1966 (a Monday).
- Oakland is located in Alameda County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 69.
- He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, which is located in Alameda County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Edward Patrick 'Slip' Madigan<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for St. Mary's Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to St. Mary's Cemetery (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to St. Mary's Cemetery
Johnston McCulley (Author)
- Full name: John William Johnston McCulley
- He was born in Ottawa on February 2, 1883 (a Friday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on November 23, 1958 (a Sunday).
- Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 75.
- He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Johnston McCulley<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale
Russ 'The Mad Monk' Meyer (Major League Baseball)
- Full name: Russell Charles Meyer
- He was born in Peru (IL) on October 25, 1923 (a Thursday) and died in Oglesby (IL) on November 16, 1997 (a Sunday).
- Peru is located 14 miles [22.5 km] to the west of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- Oglesby is located 12 miles [19.3 km] to the west of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- At the time of his death, he was 74.
- He is buried at Peru City Cemetery, located 15 miles [24.1 km] to the west of Ottawa. The cemetery is located in La Salle County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Russ 'The Mad Monk' Meyer<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Peru City Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Peru City Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Peru City Cemetery
John J. 'Bo' Molenda (Professional football)
- He was born in Oglesby (IL) on February 20, 1905 (a Monday) and died in Banning (CA) on July 20, 1986 (a Sunday).
- Oglesby is located 12 miles [19.3 km] to the west of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- Banning is located in Riverside County, California.
- At the time of his death, he was 81.
- He is buried at Riverside National Cemetery, which is located in Riverside County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for John J. 'Bo' Molenda<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Riverside National Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Riverside National Cemetery (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Riverside National Cemetery
George 'Lefty' Pierce (Major League Baseball)
- He was born in Shabbona Grove (IL) on February 10, 1888 (a Friday) and died in Joliet (IL) on October 11, 1935 (a Friday).
- Shabbona Grove is located in DeKalb County and is 26 miles [41.8 km] to the north of Ottawa (which is located in La Salle County).
- Joliet is located in Will County, Illinois.
- At the time of his death, he was 47.
- He is buried at Plainfield Twp. Cemetery, located 37 miles [59.5 km] to the east northeast of Ottawa. The cemetery is located in Will County, Illinois.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for George 'Lefty' Pierce<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Plainfield Twp. Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Plainfield Twp. Cemetery (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Plainfield Twp. Cemetery
Polly Platt (Producer, screenwriter)
- She was born in Sheridan (IL) on January 29, 1939 (a Sunday) and died in Brooklyn (NY) on July 27, 2011 (a Wednesday).
- Sheridan is located 14 miles [22.5 km] to the northeast of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- Brooklyn is located in Kings County, New York.
- At the time of her death, she was 72.
- She is buried at Green - Wood Cemetery, which is located in Kings County, New York.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Polly Platt<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Green - Wood Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Green - Wood Cemetery (NY) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Green - Wood Cemetery
Clyde William Tombaugh (Astronomer, discoverer of Pluto)
- He was born in Streator (IL) on February 4, 1906 (a Sunday) and died in Las Cruces (NM) on January 17, 1997 (a Friday).
- Streator is located 15 miles [24.1 km] to the south of Ottawa. Both communities are located in La Salle County.
- Las Cruces is located in Dona Ana County, New Mexico.
- At the time of his death, he was 90.
- The body was cremated.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Clyde William Tombaugh<1>
Mabel Trunnelle (Actress)
- She was born in Dwight (IL) on November 8, 1879 (a Saturday) and died in Glendale (CA) on April 20, 1981 (a Monday).
- Dwight is located in Livingston County and is 27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast of Ottawa (which is located in La Salle County).
- Glendale is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- At the time of her death, she was 101.
- She is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is located in Los Angeles County, California.
- Additional References
- Find-A-Grave Memorial for Mabel Trunnelle<1>
- The Find-A-Grave entry for Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Google driving directions:
- From your current location to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (CA) (Patience, this may take a moment).
- From Ottawa to Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Footnotes ...

<1>	The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.